Networking at Events
More Conference Tips
If a session isn't meeting your needs, leave. Your time at a conference is important and you should get the most out of your investment in time, effort, and money. If you don't see another session you want then head for the Exhibits or network with other marketers that are in the hallways.
Make sure you get your tickets early for ticketed events. If you miss out on one event that you desperately want to attend - check out the message board area where there is often a ticket exchange for extra tickets.
Learn these 'Ice Breaker Questions'. Even if you're shy, they will often induce even the most recalcitrant and shy person to open up.
"Hi - I'm _____________ and I'm from _____________. Where are you from?"
"What's new in your business?"
"See anything new at the conference?" "Attend any great sessions?" "Learn something new?"
Be positive - no one wants to be involved with a whiner.
Send an e-mail to marketers you know you want to meet in advance. Ask them about a recent project of theirs. Sometimes they'll ask to meet you at the conference!
Prepare a question ahead for someone important that you know will be at the conference.
Stay in the main conference hotel whenever possible. The idea of staying with a friend who lives just twenty minutes outside of town is almost always a bad one.
Take the initiative and introduce yourself. Be a good host. Introduce others around you.
Be socially generous. Invite others along, bring them into conversations, introduce them to colleagues, and connect them to someone of common interests.
Remind yourself that new marketers are important to a conference. We bring cutting edge ideas to the field. We're a breath of fresh air. We remind the top marketers of how far they've come!
While listening to presenters, try to look wise--frown, nod, take notes.
Accept any invitation to eat with a group, especially gatherings of "more important people," that may or may not occur.
Never pass up an opportunity to go out with a group to eat, especially in favor of a gathering with "more important people" that may or may not occur.
Remind yourself schmoozing is important and okay. Check out other people's nametags; you want to know who they are. Let them see your nametag so they can identify you.
Don't let yourself get cynical about schmoozing. This IS what the meeting is about and that's not a bad thing. It is quite common for newbies and beginners to feel left out because they don't know too many people. So approach people and introduce yourself.
Remember that everyone else is feeling like they don't know anyone too.
Don't worry about money -- that's what plastic is for. In the end, you are going to spend more than you intended; no use wasting emotional energy fretting about it
Recognize and celebrate the fact that the most important and enjoyable part of a conference is the stuff that occurs OUTSIDE of the sessions.
Upon checking in, locate the health club or fitness center in your hotel and see what their hours are. Then look around to see if they have a decent breakfast buffet in one of the restaurants. Next, scan through the index of the program to see if there is anyone you absolutely don't want to miss a talk by. Draw a little time chart and note where these talks are and when. If you're not doing anything else, you can try to catch them. After this, make a list of all the people you want to say hello to, have a meal with or meet. This roster is your main task list for the meeting.
If you have the opportunity to introduce someone big and someone small, do it by asking the big person if they've met the small one, not vice versa. It's a wonderfully pleasant way to go against the standard status inequalities.
Be as socially generous as possible. It almost never "costs" anything to invite someone along, bring them into a conversation, introduce them to a colleague, connect them to someone of common interests, etc. and these things (a) are always remembered, and (b) go around and come around.
Don't be intimidated by the "big names". Most people encourage questions related to their presentations--even a couple of days later in the hall. I make a point of asking everyone (in elevators, crossing the street between hotels, waiting in lobbies, air- port shuttles, etc.), are you here for the ___________ conference? Often they are and it's fascinating to learn why they decided to come--it's likely that you have something in common and it's a face to smile at across the room. Even if they're not affiliated with the conference, you'll probably have a chance to explain why you're in town and it will make it that much easier when you talk to someone at the conference.
