5 Goals I Set Before Attending a Conference
November 19, 2008 12:38 pm General Interest
Every time I attend a conference, I give myself a list of goals to meet. This ensures that I spend my time wisely and that my attendance isn’t in vain. If I meet these goals, I will be more likely to attend the conference the following year. Below are a list of my goals that I make sure to meet every time my company sends me to a conference.
Evangelize: Conferences are a good place to share information about your company and to brand yourself. They allow you to share your expertise with fellow industry colleagues and potential customers. As an employee, you represent your company and what it represents. If you effectively demonstrate your capabilities, your company will benefit by 1- recruiting talent, 2- marketing its services, and 3- generating new business leads.
Bonding with Colleagues: Often times, you have the opportunity to attend a conference with colleagues from work. Although you should venture out of your group to do a little networking, it is also important to develop a rapport with them. This will enhance your work-related experience when you are back in the office. Try to meet at least once for dinner or drinks and have non-office related conversations.
Networking: One of the key aspects of any conference is meeting people who are normally inaccessible to you. The social media world, in particular, revolves around relationships. Conferences allow you to meet new people and maintain old friendships. If you are as goal-oriented as me, create a list of people you really want to meet at the conference and make sure you either introduce yourself or ask a mutual friend to make the introduction. Chris Brogan offers great tips on how to meet new people at conferences using social media.
Education: The conferences are increasingly gaining reputations for not offering new knowledge for those who have been in the industry more than a year. However, I am seeing a shift where organizers are pushing for new topics and recruiting a more diverse group speakers. You can also gain valuable insight just by having conversations with various attendees. I really enjoy standing in the hallway of the venue and having random discussions with fellow colleagues about industry-related topics.
Vendors: One of the best parts of conferences is meeting potential vendors face-to-face and learning about what they offer. This allows you to immediately determine if their product/service is applicable to your needs. It helps save time and allows you to go back to your office with some key recommendations of possible partners.
Do you set goals before attending a conference? If so, what are they?
Thanks to Brad Crooks for the image.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Setting goals before conferences are super important. I believe networking is probably one of my favorite parts and I always say that I want to meet and create a “relationship” with about 5 people at every conference. Also, I make a point to sit in on sessions, no matter how little sleep I get =P
November 19th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
This is a great point Reem! Normally I set goals for meeting new folk, signing new deals, etc, but adding structure to my thinking is never a bad thing!
One thing I’m a huge stickler for, just for myself, is evaluating the $ value of a conference I went to to see if it’s worth going to in the future. Not just the actual $ cost, but the opportunity cost of not doing something else.
Setting goals in advance will definitely help with that, so thanks!
November 19th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
I always try to buy a round of drinks for everyone around me to kick things off…amazing how little things like that open doors and how much people appreciate it. The return is always ten fold. Many times I’ll end up hosting get togethers in my room for a buch of people that Ive never met before. I always try to get to know people beyond the casual hello, hers my card and ask the poignant questions and really bond with someone. Your advice is really in line with a great connector.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
@Joseph Morin Nooooooo, really? Parties, alcohol, and 1hr and 1 min phone conversations? I don’t believe it.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
I plead the fifth on any partying with Joe.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Depending on the length of the conference, I set a number of “take aways” that I want to have.
This could be learning something new, discovering a new product, coming up with a new strategy, forging a new relationships, etc.
Take aways will be different for every conferenc and every person, but if I’m not getting them, it’s probably not worth my time, effort, and money.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Reem, You always seem to have this devilish look on your face - like you’re up to no good.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
That’s good advise Reem
I haven’t attended many conferences, and when I do my focus is mainly on the educational and vendor aspects. I can network silicone but I’m not so good with the humans.
I’ll be checking out your link to Chris Brogan’s post, thanks for that
November 19th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
What a great post and it’s also so good to find out what others try to get out of conferences!
I think networking is really important. I try to say something memorable so that when I follow up with the person later (another goal - following up), they will remember me.
If I know that people will be there that I’ve partnered up with or who have, in some way, been affiliated with my work, I make it a point to acknowledge them and thank them for the collaboration. It is especially helpful when asking for improvements on their services (if applicable) if you made a good impression.
I try to be on my best behavior at parties
November 19th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I agree with your list completely. And I find that some conferences specialize in one area or two more than another.
I expected SxSW to be mostly a networking event. But it excelled in education as well.
The only thing you missed is “Swag”. Conferences are a great place for your wardobe for the year
November 19th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Great post. Like Mary Jo, I set goals that are oriented toward “take aways” or what I want to get out of being there. If I find myself sidetracked during the event, I reflect on the goals to get myself back to my purpose(s) for being there.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
I think setting goals before a conference is a great idea! I am new to the whole conference thing, so this post put a good perspective on it for me.
I had so much fun at Blog World Expo meeting new people and networking. Because I attended, I found out there was a thriving social media group here in Denver. Very cool!
I am really looking forward to SXSW!
November 22nd, 2008 at 6:03 am
The main reason I don’t attend too many conferences is because I am busy working for my clients. A week at a conference takes a lot out of a busy schedule. However, when I do attend, one of my goals is to get ideas for all of my clients, as well as for my own websites. I write the name of each client at the top of one sheet of paper, and I scribble down ideas for each one. As a result, every client knows I was at a conference (which is good for one’s image of being up on the latest trends) and everyone knows that it was to their benefit when they read the ideas and strategies I have to suggest.
November 22nd, 2008 at 7:00 am
I guess I have always set goals - very similar to yours - before a conference - because I am not spending my own money, so I worry about the value to the company. I do always try to bring home some specific educational tips to my small office - much like David’s comment for each client.
It is also a great time to talk shop with the like-minded as I am the only nerdy one in my office.
November 22nd, 2008 at 1:47 pm
[...] Conference Preparation Sarah linked in one of her Tweets to the post 5 Goals I Set Before Attending a Conference in Social Impressions, a blog by Reem Abeidoh. I can relate to the blog post – except that when I [...]
November 22nd, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Some great points and for an extra resource check out Keith Ferrazzi’s book Never Eat Alone - whole chapter on Being a Conference Guerilla is just golden.
Just my toonies worth
November 22nd, 2008 at 5:27 pm
great post…I like your perspective in the education section, and would love to know what conferences seem to be at the forefront for offering advanced sessions and a lot of value above and beyond networking.
November 29th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Great Post Reem. I actually think I was two seats to the right of you when this picture was taken in Vegas. It was good meeting you in person.
To add to your discussion…When I’m at conferences I try to do many of the same things you mentioned. Something else I like to do, which goes a long with networking is getting a picture with key influencers and people I would like to keep contact with. These influencers meet so many people at conferences that your name may escape them. By reaching out with a picture attached in an email it refreshes the person’s memory and even helps build some rapport in my opinion.
hope you had a great thanksgiving