How To Get The Most Out Of A Conference
The best way to succeed at your next legal conference is always be prepared. The preparation before the event is going to help you stand apart from your peers. In order to get the most out of your experience is to go to a conference with a solid plan of action. After arriving at the event, there will be no time to stop and pause in order to take some time to create a plan or collect your thoughts.
Remember to review the agenda before you leave for the conference.
There should be a goal set for what you would like to learn at the conference. The agenda that is sent before the conference is a tool for you to devise a plan specifically tailored to that goal. If there is a keynote address, make sure to attend ones that are conference wide. Most legal events will not hold breakout sessions during presentations like this. There are many things to consider when deciding which speaker’s presentations to attend. Make sure you pay attention to not only the speaker, but the subject they are presenting as well. There will be some of the smaller sessions that are more tailored to you and your interests.
Orient yourself with the conference information and details.
Another important planning exercise is to familiarize yourself with the conference layout. This will allow you to know where everything is located and allow you to move around the space with ease. Make sure you know where the event location is and how long it will take you to get there the day of the event. Arriving late is never a good first impression in any situation. The more you understand the layout of the space, the less important information you will miss when you are navigating through vendors. If a map of the event is available to you, keep a copy of it on your phone so you always have it if needed.
Reach out to fellow peers and find out who is attending.
Networking is one of the most important aspects of attending events. The people you are attending the event with are just as important as the speakers presenting. There are so many opportunities to expand your network when attending the event. There is no better time to get to know your peers, meet knew contacts, or even meet potential clients. Take advantage of any social media campaigns the conference might be promoting. This is a great way to see who you might want to make acquaintance with or keep up with people you have already met. There is nothing wrong with reaching out to people prior to the conference and let them know you are attending. This gives you the advantage to possibly set up a secure time to meet up and have a conversation.
