How can you maximize the benefits of attending an industry conference?

In my experience, the best way to make the most out of conferences and professional, industry events is doing my research about the topic, speakers and organization hosting it. It helps in starting conversations, in adding your opinions as well as connecting with the speakers post their session. Along with that, it also helps in highlighting your learnings from the event.

What I've found helpful is to be conscious of how you show up. You can shape your experience when you are aware of what side of yourself you bring. For example, it could be that you decide to be confident so you can approach industry leaders and initiate collaborations or add value to them.

Attending industry events can be quite challenging, particularly if you have no prior experience attending such events. Having defined goals will guide your approach throughout the event. This will also alleviate any anxiety which you may be feeling related to your attendance. I would suggest procuring the list of sessions, speakers and activities ahead of attending the event and pin pointing which sessions, speakers and activities align with your goals. Of course, a degree of flexibility is required on the day of the event as you may be drawn to other speakers, sessions or activities which you may not have intended to attend or participate in.

In my experience the best way to make the most of a conference is to talk to everyone, make new friendships, find out about people, who they are & what they do. I've got my QR code on my phone so I can also share more about me & my business.

Active engagement and strategic follow-up are crucial to maximize the benefits of attending an industry conference. Over 30 years of attending and speaking at conferences, I've found that preparation is key: research speakers, plan your schedule, and prepare questions. During the conference, proactively network and engage with speakers. Collect business cards and take notes on conversations. After the meeting, promptly follow up with new contacts, referencing specific discussions. Share your learnings and apply insights to your work. By actively engaging before, during, and after the conference, you can amplify the impact of your attendance.

There is a saying that well begun is half done so do your research about the objectives, and the outcome you want to get. Find out who can you network with or what can you learn from this event in advance and this can be a precursor for good networking.

A conference agenda is your best friend! Plan out your time ahead of the event for the most value, and be sure to schedule in personal breaks to get outside, go for a walk, or meditate. Conferences require a TON of energy, give yourself time to fill your cup back up.

At conferences, you WILL have opportunities to connect with others. Part of your research should include: 1. Who is going? 2. Who in that group do you want to connect with? 3. What do you want to get from that connection? 4. What will you ask them? This preparation will keep you from choking if you run into someone you have always wanted to meet. Ask thoughtful questions. Be sincere. Be ready.

Don't just blindly go and sit there. Be well prepared about what the conference is about, study more about the profiles and industries and look out for people who share something similar with you. The more you go out and talk, the better the chances for you.

In my experience, I have found that human to human interaction lies at the heart of every conference. Keep in mind that the event organisers want to put together a productive and fruitful event which people can come together and gain value. There is no need to stay in your comfort zone during the event. You may be surprised that organisers, showcasers and fellow attendees share the same anxieties in relation to the event that you do. Be yourself, engage with as many people as you can and learn as much as you can.

Attending an industry conference goes beyond just sessions and contacts. Meaningful connections stem from quality conversations, not quantity. Handwritten notes and personalized follow-ups post-conference can set you apart. Reflecting on what you've learned leads to valuable growth.

Even the best plan will get shifted around due to unforeseen circumstances. Practice being unattached from the outcome and open to new possibility at events. I've experienced moments where I ran into someone that offered immense opportunity and completely deprioritized everything else.

I'm often an introvert but I've attended many events in the last 2 years and the networking has always begun before the event started. It made me feel less anxious about small talk/meeting all new people. So I made the event feel more like a social gathering with friends before attending. I'd build some connections prior by sending messages, arranging virtual meetings etc and scheduling times to meet during the event. This made it feel less overwhelming however I'd still make time and effort to allow the unexpected to unfold through networking with new people. You can prepare for something as much as you like, but it's always effective to open yourself up to possibility.

Speak to people! Some of the very best learning I have had at conferences was from the people I networked with. Making connections and discussing what was presented has led to so many fabulous ideas and long term professional and personal relationships. Even if you're shy, challenge yourself to step up and say hi, even if it's only to the person sitting right next to you.

Following up after networking events is essential for building and maintaining meaningful connections. Here are some tips for following up after networking events: 1. Send a personalized email Sending a personalized email to the individuals you met at the event can help you build a stronger connection and keep the conversation going. Make sure to mention something specific that you discussed during the event to show that you were paying attention. 2. Connect on social media Connecting with the individuals you met at the event on social media can help you stay in touch and build a stronger relationship. 3. Attend follow-up events Attending follow-up events can help you maintain and strengthen the connections you made at the event.

One thing that I've found helpful is to connect with individuals which you interact with during or immediately after meeting them while you are still front of mind. A tip is to make sure that your profiles are up-to-date and effectively articulate your value proposition. Of course there is no impediment to connecting with these individuals after the event. As long as your approach is not "cold" and provides sufficient context. Bear in mind that during the conference, you will have a lot of information to digest. This is why it is important to make notes or record sessions which you find valuable so that you can refer back to same, when you have more time.

Connecting with those you meet on linkedin after the conference keeps that momentum. It keeps those connections warm, which helps if you have an ask or want to learn from them after the conference. It always helps if you remember something they said that struck a chord with you - because this is something you can mention with the connection request to make sure they remember you.

Indeed, keeping up momentum is important when you follow up. Follow up shortly after the event, and connect with people you spoke too, organizers and speakers. It is always helpful to send them a personalized message when sending a connection request, so they make the link with the conference and how they know you. After this, stay in touch with them and build your connection.

To maximize the benefits of attending an industry conference, it's important to have a strategic approach to absorbing and applying knowledge gained. Active listening and engaging during sessions is key, as is tailoring follow-ups to reference specific discussions or topics. Integrating new learnings into current projects or sharing with the team is impactful. This turns theory into practice and ensures the conference becomes a catalyst for growth and development.

⚠️ Here is a tip that will gaurentee success at any industry confrence. ⚠️ Making the most out of a conference doesn’t begin with planning for day of, it starts by being proactive and setting up meetings with target clients weeks before the conference. Step 1: Get a list of who will be attending the conference. Then use LinkedIn to determine the decision makers with that company. Step 2: Connect with those decision makers and foster a relationship. Step 3: Schedule a time to meet that person at the conference. Step 4: Book 20 minute meetings with prospects in a 30 min slot. Fill up the entire day with prospect meetings. Step 5: For two day events, use the second day for more meetings or to spend more time with interested prospects. 💥

Industry events aren't for everyone. If you find them challenging, here's a killer tip to break the ice: At break times... lots of people rush to the coffee queue. This is a great place to strike up a conversation with a stranger. Ask questions like: - How are you finding the event? - What's been your biggest takeaway so far? - What are you hoping to achieve out of the event? - Is there anyone specific you're hoping to connect with? Then... try and add value. Networking events are also about connecting with other people outside of yourself. See how you may be able to support people and make introductions!

Attending an industry conference isn't just about the scheduled events; it's also about the spontaneous opportunities that arise. Once, I found myself sharing a table at lunch with people from various companies. This unplanned interaction led to an exchange of unique insights and even a collaboration opportunity. So it's important to stay open to these unexpected moments. Whether it's a chat in the coffee line or a question after a panel, these instances can offer valuable connections and knowledge.

Being a keynote speaker, I observe how attendees engage with my talks, and what stands out is the diverse ways people absorb information. A clear indicator of deep engagement is when someone asks open questions. To maximize the benefits of attending an industry conference, don't hesitate to ask questions at the end of sessions. It not only expands your knowledge but also ensures a thorough understanding of the topics covered. Embracing this interactive approach transforms passive learning into a dynamic experience, making the most out of your conference participation.

As Alison Edgar suggests "ask open questions" of the speakers. I look at all the sessions and prepare and rehearse some open questions on the way to the conference. If I don't have the question answered during their presentation and no-one else has asked it I take a deep breath, stand up and ask my question. Make sure it's an open question and not a comment or you'll bore the pants off the delegates.