Tom’s got a goal like that for each conference he attends. But having clear idea goals is just one way of maximizing the conference experience. Here are some other ways to get the most out of a conference:
- Make a list. In addition to knowing what you want to accomplish at the conference, make a list of any questions you want answered or any topics you’d like to hear discussed. This can help you choose sessions and workshops.
- Make a new friend. If there’s someone who’s sure to be at the conference that you’d like to meet (such as a keynote speaker), contact the conference organizers and ask if they could introduce you to the person. If that’s not possible, be sure to attend the networking session most conferences have on the first evening before sessions begin.
- Make a plan. Don’t leave a session without writing down at least one action step you can take as a result of the information presented. This is another good reason to allow at least 15 minutes between sessions, so you’ll have time to make any final notes and write your action steps while the information is fresh in your mind.
- Make a suggestion. Consider submitting an idea for a panel suggestion, recommending a workshop topic or even volunteering to speak. If you’ve been in the business for many years, you’ve got a lot of expertise and insight that others can benefit from. Also, if there’s an issue or concern you have, it’s likely that other staffing firms may be experiencing the same thing and would appreciate a discussion of the topic.
You’re probably still recovering from Staffing World (we are!), but we hope you got a lot out of it. What were your best memories, insights, a-has or moments from Staffing World 2012? Let us know in the comments!