Strategies for Getting the Most Out of Conferences
"Education forms the common mind. Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined." Alexander Pope

By Nina Spencer

We are well into 2008 and quickly heading for 2009. Now is the time that many people are preparing to attend a conference or two related to their occupational and professional interests. Remember, big or small, conferences do more than blandly disseminate information about your industry.

Conferences offer opportunity to learn more about:
New innovations-- hear ideas to challenge the current way you do business and identify trends to take back to your local business community
New technologies related to your field (to help save you time and sanity)
Political climate of your profession and industry-- to help you develop more strategic savvy
Networking-- hook-up and stay in touch with like-minded people
Career development and advancement-- expose yourself to your profession's obvious (or not so obvious) next steps and possibilities
Sharing your knowledge-- either formally, as a volunteer presenter, or informally, as a participant in concurrent sessions; raise your profile among peers, as a subject matter expert
Current experts in your field-- hear what they have to say
Best practices-- stay on the cutting edge of your profession
Conferences also: provide honest to goodness entertainment for those who willingly attend, serve as a reward for well deserving employees and offer a bit of extra fun when located in famous, exciting, little known, beautiful or interesting locations.

Whether support staff or senior executive, attending conferences is part of a professional mindset. Those who consider themselves professionals take care of themselves and their careers. The most impressive and engaged professionals are members of professional groups and associations. They attend monthly chapter meetings and roundtable discussions regarding the health of their respective industries, keep tabs on the economic and technological trends impacting their profession and network with peers to help accelerate their learning and elevate expertise. These same professionals embrace lifelong learning, read publications on their industry (they may even contribute an article or two over the years) and regularly refresh their professional certifications and credentials.

Professionals boast strong networks of trusted and valued colleagues and friends, both inside and outside of their chosen work, with whom they regularly meet to explore ideas, obtain council and refine their thinking and strategies for on-the-job success. All of these behaviors and practices are driven by a sense of passion and pride for work performed. These "pros" actually love for what they do for a living (however grand or humble), and have a sense of commitment and loyalty to the people and organizations for whom they work. These individuals are "engaged"-- engaged with their work, and probably with their lives.

You don't have to be a doctor, lawyer, engineer, chartered accountant or merchant chief, to be a "professional." Anyone can be a "pro"-- homemaker or CEO-- it's all a matter of attitude and behavior you bring to the good work you contribute each and everyday.

Embrace the value of your workplace contribution by treating yourself with the same level of respect, care, planning and ongoing professional development that other practicing professionals enjoy.

Before the conference:
Establish a singular focus or goal for attending-- about what do you want to learn more?
Get a good night's sleep the night before-- conference schedules can be hectic; you may feel overwhelmed with information coming at you too fast. It's easier to absorb the pace and volume of data if you're well rested (consider sleeping over, the night before)
Bring lots of business cards and have them immediately available
If your conference includes breakout sessions, review the agenda in advance to strategically choose sessions which align with your objectives (and so that you don't spend time scrambling to pick a session minutes beforehand, only to discover that it's full and must now attend another that's of little use to you)
If two interesting sessions are scheduled simultaneously, see if there's a CD or book which will summarize the one missed
Learn who's attending the conference (if possible) so you'll know whom you wish to meet.

During the conference:
Remember your singular focus; write it at the top of each page of your notes
Attend sessions that cover your focus (although others may lure)
At lengthy conferences attend at least one session "just for fun"
Document the best, most do-able nuggets you garner from each day
Keep a dedicated "to-do list" of what you can apply at work (include zany ideas you may never implement; for now, it's just a list)
Buy CDs and/or books from the best sessions, to reinforce what you learned
Participate in all exercises, even if "silly"-- they're presented for reasons which may be momentarily unclear; trust the speaker's positive intention
Speak up-- volunteer for anything and everything; the more you participate the more you'll reap
If attending with friends or co-workers, consider splitting up, at least for some of the sessions; if you stick together you'll be exposed to fewer people and ideas (if one of your goals is to network, going solo is better); if you split up, you can cover twice as many presentations and report back
Arrive early; arriving early gives you a better feel for the room's atmosphere, the choicest seats, allows for some introductory talk with other attendees and gives you time to relax and breath
Sit near the front, for the best view and learning opportunity
Ask questions where appropriate; trust that, "there are not any stupid questions"; if you're wondering, others are, too!
Take lots of notes, even if sessions are recorded; note-taking layers learning, abbreviate or use your own style of shorthand; use symbols to highlight important points
Exchange business cards with other attendees that have a connection with your business, however remote or unsuspecting; write notes on each card (about the person and why They're interesting to you; describe looks, too, otherwise, if you meet for coffee later you may forget who you're looking for!)
Introduce yourself to the speaker at the end of each session, if possible-- exchange business cards and stay connected; speakers get to know a lot of people, venues, and information which may be of interest to you along the way; they're good people to know and most are delighted to stay in touch

After the conference:
Practice the, "Law of '72; not 1972--72 hours; reviewing notes to reinforce what you learned, within 72 hours, improves the odds of retention and application
Review your in-conference "nuggets" and "to do" list; prioritize and discard ideas that will never "fly,"  after all
Action at least one of your "to do" list items, within that same 72 hour window
Reinforce learning by teaching colleagues or teammates; or, at the very least, make it dinnertime conversation-- you may bore them to death but, on the other hand perhaps they'll be sincerely interested. "Third person teaching" works.
Consider: the content of the speakers' presentations, what you know, yourself, in terms of professional subject matter expertise, and your courage and finesse at public speaking; if confident, offer to speak at the next conference, if you have professional expertise that meshes with that conference's focus; this helps raise your profile within your industry, experience such an event from a different perspective, stretch professionally and attend all other sessions, usually free of charge!

When contemplating, "To attend or not to attend? That is the question.", consider the words of Derek Bok: "If you think education is expensive-- try ignorance!"

About Nina Spencer
A native Torontonian, a Psychology graduate of York University, and, at one time, a professional figure skater, Nina draws on 27 years of corporate experience. Over the past 20 years, Nina has made her professional contribution as a Conference Keynote Speaker and Organizational Development Workshop Facilitator in the Public and Private Sectors, as well as the university and college setting. Visit her website at: http://www.ninaspencer.com/