Chris Brogan: Advice for People Attending Conferences
Richard Reeve
· 1 year ago
The idea of building in a few meetings ahead of time has always works well for me, especially early into the event, allowing later times to flow with unexpected opportunities. Thanks for the handbook in preparation for the New Marketing Summit next month (and for everything else as well...).
Ricardo Bueno
· 1 year ago
Don't be shy! If it's one of your natural traits, it's "ok" to leave home without it. A conference isn't just about listening to the presentations, it's about interacting with the attendees...it's about the conversations and meetings that take place in the halls and in the break-out sessions...the interactions that take place at the bar (which is, strategically speaking, a good place to be. Everyone goes to the bar at some point or other; including the big names you want to meet).
In short, be confident and be personable. Not confident to the point that you're arrogant but confident to the point that you have that "I should know this guy" look about you.
Julius
· 1 year ago
Hey Chris,
great advice.
Podcamp is very compliant with your suggestions and they are doing a great job in using web 2.0 tools and integration.
I also suggest using as much as possible forums or events social networks, such as Backnetwork, as a great way to start engaging with new people.
Also carpooling is a great idea to lower the impact on the environment as well as making connections before the conference actually starts.
Thanks
Julius
Ryan McLean
· 1 year ago
Hey Chris, I am a brand new reader and i have subscribed to your RSS feed. I really like this post. I really wish I could afford to go to conferences but at the moment I cannot. I know they give you loads of great ideas, but at the moment it is out of my league. I run a blog to and when that gets more income then I might be able to afford to go :-)
Kevin Eikenberry
· 1 year ago
Chris - Looking forward to seeing you at Blog World this week. After reading this post, I decided to do this post - How to Get the Most from Your Conference Investment... http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2008/09/ho... - I hope it adds to your great post!
Kevin :)
Dave Lutz
· 1 year ago
Chris, great topic and post! I also play around in the meeting and event space and have a monthly column in a leading industry magazine, Convene. Here is an article that was published a while back on preparing and getting the most out of your conference attendance. http://www.velvetchainsaw.com/articles/Conferen...
Nate Riggs
· 1 year ago
Great post, Chris. I regularly make it to association conferences and other networking events. Some of the best events I've attended have been user conferences hosted by some of my clients. It's so valuable to get to experience the type of relationships that companies have with their customers. We're in an era where in most cases, it's even OK for competitors sit across the table and share knowledge and industry experience - everyone benefits from that type of attitude.
Here's some additional thoughts on a few strategies to get the most out of the events you attend...
Good post, these tips are useful not just for conferences, but meeting people in general and creating brief smalltalk. It is difficult sometimes to make the most of conventions because there is so much going on at once. A lot of times it's nice to become comfortable with one new person you have met and break off from there. These little social skills are key for life in general.
Timely post, Chris, inasmuch as Oracle OpenWorld 2008 is only three days away.
bob ashley
· 1 year ago
Timely post Chris. I'm in the middle of the annual convention of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities. A couple hundred local politicians and 50 or so exec staff like me. (Chief Administrative Officers). These people aren't shy.
Perhaps against the grain, I never go to these things with an agenda. Strategic agendas is what I do every day at the office. No, I'm there to chat with people, build eye-contacts, listen to, and tell local stories, have fun, relax, laugh. It's unmotivated immersion.
The "poli" in politics means "people". And people are the sine qua non of any socialmedia, including a convention. This is just to vault simple relationship building to a lofty principle. A gathering like that is just Twitter unplugged.
Today I had lunch with the former Premier of Nova Scotia. And that's all it was. We had a good laugh. And that's enough.
bob
Seamus Anthony
· 1 year ago
Even though it's cool, don't sit on the stairs. Due to fire safety regulations the usher will come and move you along and you may feel like a bit of a ninny.
Tumblemoose
· 1 year ago
Do your homework before you go. If a particular speaker listed on the conference brochure has piqued your interest then research them as much as you can. Become familiar with their work, their business, their philosophies. Prepare a question or two you would like to ask them. When at conference, make an effort to meet them and spend a few moments in conversation. Remember what a great networking opportunity you have right in front of you. Take advantage and make it a worthwhile experience.
All Comments
In short, be confident and be personable. Not confident to the point that you're arrogant but confident to the point that you have that "I should know this guy" look about you.
great advice.
Podcamp is very compliant with your suggestions and they are doing a great job in using web 2.0 tools and integration.
I also suggest using as much as possible forums or events social networks, such as Backnetwork, as a great way to start engaging with new people.
Also carpooling is a great idea to lower the impact on the environment as well as making connections before the conference actually starts.
Thanks
Julius
I am a brand new reader and i have subscribed to your RSS feed. I really like this post. I really wish I could afford to go to conferences but at the moment I cannot. I know they give you loads of great ideas, but at the moment it is out of my league. I run a blog to and when that gets more income then I might be able to afford to go :-)
Kevin :)
Here's some additional thoughts on a few strategies to get the most out of the events you attend...
http://chasingchange.blogspot.com/2008/03/winni...
Craig
www.budgetpulse.com
Perhaps against the grain, I never go to these things with an agenda. Strategic agendas is what I do every day at the office. No, I'm there to chat with people, build eye-contacts, listen to, and tell local stories, have fun, relax, laugh. It's unmotivated immersion.
The "poli" in politics means "people". And people are the sine qua non of any socialmedia, including a convention. This is just to vault simple relationship building to a lofty principle. A gathering like that is just Twitter unplugged.
Today I had lunch with the former Premier of Nova Scotia. And that's all it was. We had a good laugh. And that's enough.
bob
When at conference, make an effort to meet them and spend a few moments in conversation. Remember what a great networking opportunity you have right in front of you. Take advantage and make it a worthwhile experience.