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Everyone can benefit from attending professional conferences, no matter what industry they belong to. These large multi-day gatherings are a great way to attend some seminars, learn a few things about where the industry is headed, and perhaps most importantly, network with other users in the same space. It’s a great opportunity to build a
However, if this is your first time attending an industry conference, you may not know how best to make the most of your limited time. The truth is, not everyone walks away from the conference with the same opportunities as those who came in with a game plan. Here are five ways to maximize your development opportunities.
1. Make a plan
The first step is to plan well before the meeting starts. There’s no doubt that his week-long conference, held in a huge hotel, looks pretty chaotic and intimidating. After all, how do you know where to go, what seminar to attend, who to talk to, and where to catch people in the hustle and bustle of a conference?
This is where planning saves you. Take some time in advance to research the conference schedule, participate in pre-conference discussions online, and learn more about the speakers and other attendees you want to network with. Planning like this can save you a lot of time in the long run.
2. Attend after-hours networking events and mixers
This tip is about probably one of the most important parts, the networking part of a professional conference. Meetings that span several days often have some sort of social mixer or meet and greet for attendees during the evening hours. These are great opportunities to put yourself out there and network with your peers.
Be sure to bring business cards to hand out or, if you’re an author, hand out a free copy of the book. The book will serve as your calling card at these mixers and other professional events. A signed book — handed out to potential clients, collaborators, or influencers you want to work with — is , is light years ahead of another business card that many would probably lose or forget.
Even if you don’t have a book to hand out, these after hours networking mixers are a great way to pass the time at your next meeting.
Related: The Networking Necessary for Effective Entrepreneurship
3. Walk the hallway
A third tip to remember to get the most out of your meeting is to spend time walking the corridors outside the seminar room. Seminars and Q&A all play a role in a conference, but there is a structure that requires politeness to be followed. Sit respectfully and listen to what the speaker is saying.
In the hallways, however, you’ll meet people out of the blue, have ad-libbed conversations, make business deals, and set up collaborations for the future. Planning something like this yourself can seem daunting. After all, meeting other participants in the hallway may seem like a coincidence. In fact, from following certain attendees’ hashtags and social posts to observing what others are doing outside of seminar hours, it’s easy to find yourself at some of the existing hallway meetups. There are things you can do to guide yourself.
It’s good to remember that in professional meetings, the learning happens in the seminar room, but the magic happens in the hallway.
Related: How did my goal to meet two new people a day completely change my life?
4. Attend workshops and seminars
You should take time to attend the workshops and seminars offered at the conference. There are two strategies that can be employed here. On the one hand, I need to attend a seminar on an unfamiliar subject, but would like to know more. On the other hand, make time to attend seminars on subjects you already teach or practice.
The reason is that other people in your industry may have different life experiences that cause them to have perspectives on your topic that you have never considered before. These speakers are saying something more clearly or succinctly than you ever have before. Their unique insights may unlock something within you and inspire you to teach your subject the way they do from now on.
This is not stealing someone’s style. It is to see if another member of your industry can say something that will pull a nugget of wisdom from your unconscious knowledge bank into your consciousness. You can start and gain a competitive edge.
Related: The best entrepreneurs are self-improvement experts. Here’s how to master that skill.
5. Be flexible
Finally, these conferences require flexible scheduling. As mentioned earlier, you should plan for attending meetings, but at the same time be open to the fact that your schedule may change at any time. You may miss the seminar you were supposed to attend due to a mundane issue or the fact that you missed your time slot because you had such a long and engaging conversation with someone you met in the hallway.
are you OK! Better to go with the flow anyway. Because it’s often the way to form the best personal connections.
Meetings can spur your personal and professional growth
Whether you’re an industry veteran or just getting started in the game, meetings in your market niche can be of great benefit to your personal and professional development.From expert seminars to impromptu hallways Meetings can be the key to unlocking new levels of growth in you, right up to networking at .