8 Ways To Get The Most Out Of A Conference

If you get the opportunity to attend a conference, do whatever you can to learn something new.  Here are a 8 tips for success.

1. Arrive early - The quicker you get your mind accustomed to the environment, the sooner you will be ready to learn.

2. Sit near the front - Your attention will increase and distractions will decrease.

3. Turn off your phone - You are there to learn.  People can bother you on your normal schedule.


4. Look For Application - Constantly ask the question, "How does this apply to me." 

5. Take notes - Worst case scenario, you take notes and never look at them again.  The simple act of writing something out helps you process and recall information.  Its worth the extra effort.

6. Strike up a conversation - It is helpful to ask your neighbor what they think about this new information.  You will get a new perspective and have the chance to shape and defend your own. Plus, it helps to meet new people and make connections for networking purposes. 

7. Process - Take time at the end of the day to process the information.  Before you leave, decide the few ideas that you plan to implement as soon as you return.  This way you have something to say when someone asks you "How was the conference?"

8. Share - Conferences are pointless if you don't do anything with the information.  Share ideas with your team when you get back and decide how this new information can make the biggest difference.

Below are a few things NOT to do at a conference.

I was at the Model Schools Conference today in Muskogee, OK.  The speaker was great, I learned a lot, and I got to see some great people that I haven't seen in quite some time.  During the conference, filled with educators mind you, I could not help but notice the large amounts of people that were not engaged.  Normally I would not notice but we were in an arena so I could see everyone seated on the floor.  I found it interesting that many of the educators portrayed the same behavior that they despise from their students.  Here are 4 ways to waste time at a conference in the form of characters I observed. (These are just nicknames but the behaviors are not gender specific.)

1. Temperature Tammy:  This is the person that makes it obvious to everyone around that they are either hot or cold.  We know it's hot in here.  You don't have to look around to see if other people agree with you.  It's 100+ outside and it has been for over a month.   Waving your folder that hard and fast is probably a little counterproductive.  Just accept the fact that you will be warm and focus.


2.  Phone Call Phil:  Answering your phone in the middle of the room, in the middle of a speaker session?  Really?  What on earth is wrong with you?  Please take the 30 seconds and walk out of the room.

3.  Gary the Gamer:  You're at a conference to learn from experts in your field.  You or your district paid good money for you to be there.  Can you not hold off on angry birds until you are dismissed?

4.  Skip:  It's funny how the morning sessions are always more full than the afternoon sessions.  Where did you go?  You paid money to attend a conference, drove to a different city, and decided to only stay for half of it? 


What helps you get the most out of a conference?