TATL #9: HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A CONFERENCE-Tips for Attendees

Main Content

Prepare:

Bring anything that makes you feel comfortable: breath mints, snacks (fruits), business cards, water bottles, comfortable shoes, a backpack, a roller suitcase:

At the conference:

Know the type of presentation that you are attending at the conference: is it a publisher session? (they are trying to sell something) a paper session? (academic-focused research)

Don’t always stick with your co-workers and attend every session together. You and co-workers can swap session notes if you go to different sessions.

When you enter a session, introduce yourself to the presenter.

Where to sit - Roger likes to sit in the front to see the speaker and easily talk to him/her after. Remember to sit in the back if you plan to leave early.

Cell phones and Tablets - Ok to take pictures of the PPT, but don’t raise your device too high or too often. Turn off camera shutter sound. Flash only works if you are within 5 feet.

Publishers: Free books! Meet publishers and try to get a desk copy.

Poster session: Great to visit because presentations are short and you can talk to the presenter one-on-one easily.

Recharge yourself: find the rest or snack rooms and take a break. Sit down and rest your feet. Take a nap. Find good food places in the area.

After:

What to do with contacts and business cards: try to contact them within a few days after the conference or else you won’t do it or the person won’t remember you.


What's In My Bag?

Emily: eyelash curler

(http://cdn-img.instyle.com/sites/default/files/images/2010/bbb09/shu-uemura-eyelash-curler-300_3.jpg)

Roger: Notebook from Zequenz (pronunciation: z-kwenz) (http://www.zequenz.com/)