Many of us are about to convene in New Orleans for the Annual Meeting. There is no doubt it will be busy for all attendees regardless of how you decide to spend your time. The Annual Meeting is a time to learn about new and current things regarding diabetes, discover new technologies, and just as important, make connections with old and new colleagues.
Let’s face it, it can be overwhelming and tough to know where to focus your time. I know from my own experience one of the things everyone looks forward to is the opportunity to see each other. A common message prior to the meeting or even during the meeting is “Hey, let’s find a time to connect.” Should you skip a session to meet a colleague? What about coffee dates? How many are too many? What about breakfast, lunch, or dinner? Or happy hours? And don’t forget about the evening events. It can be a challenge to fit all those opportunities in along with the intent to attend sessions and circulate through the exhibit hall to see what is new and to connect with the vendors. Which sessions will you attend? Which vendors are on your “must visit” list? Considering the time and expense of the trip and time away from home and work to attend the conference, it might be helpful to do some planning. Elizabeth Wilcox, senior consultant for advising for UC Berkley, not only recommends planning ahead for what you want to get out of the conference but also suggests setting some goals for how to manage your time while there.
There is the obvious social connection with those old and new colleagues that will hopefully include some fun and time to catch up. These connections are important. The Annual Meeting is designed to be a time for you to be with likeminded people from around the country and even the world with intention. Many of you say this is one of your top reasons for attending. Don’t leave these meetings to chance. Reach out and make plans to connect. And be sure to look beyond the personal connections. A connection includes a flow of information between you and another person. This is a mutual benefit both of you get from exchanging stories and ideas. According to the Oxford Dictionary, a connection is “a relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with someone or something else.” Take the opportunity to look for ways to connect on a professional level and possibly collaborate on some mutual interests. Podcaster Chris Dunkin says, “Making connections leads to conversations and conversations lead to opportunities. Beyond making connections, it’s vital to spend time nurturing connections as they can come in handy in unexpected ways down the road.” Susan McPherson, CEO of McPherson Strategies and author, suggests focusing on making connections rather than simply networking, stating, “One of the key differentiators between networking and connecting is leading with how you can be helpful to others.” Holly Corbett, multimedia contributor, says, “In a nutshell, networking can feel more transactional, while creating connection is more of a two-way street where you lead with curiosity, ask questions, and use your strengths to help others.” Maybe you know someone who could benefit from something you learn. Maybe you will think of a possible collaboration based on what you have learned. Maybe you can introduce some colleagues working on similar things. These relationships can facilitate learning and knowledge sharing and even increase innovation.
Beyond making connections with your colleagues, look for connections between ideas. According to the Oxford Dictionary, a connection is “a relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with someone or something else.”
Beyond making connections with your colleagues, look for connections between ideas. As you wander the exhibit hall, listen to presentations, and view posters, let your mind explore possible connections. What fits with your work? What things do you want to learn about? Some things will be new to you, and others will be an opportunity to expand and enhance what you already know, allowing you to advance your level of knowledge and expertise. The ability to make these connections involves a process of connecting prior knowledge to new knowledge and experiences.
Think about these things as you plan your time at Annual Meeting. Think about who it is you want to be sure to meet with. Given your limited time, it will be important to decide how much time you want to spend with the. Look at the program ahead of time and identify the sessions you are most interested in. Maybe even prioritize them so if you get caught up in a productive conversation, you will know if you want to cut it short for the session or continue with the conversation. In other words, work in some serendipity. Thankfully, we have the online sessions you can go back to if you miss something you really wanted to hear. Make a similar plan for your time in the exhibit hall. This may be your only time to chat with some of the vendors, so being planful can help you get the information you want from them.
However you decide to spend your time at Annual Meeting, be intentional about it. Know what you want to accomplish, leaving time for spur of the moment things. Take some time to think about what type of action you want to take after the conference. Who will you follow up with? What key takeaways will you have from your meetings with colleagues or vendors and the sessions you attended? Are there things you want to incorporate in your practice? Most of the time, notes from a conference end up in a notebook somewhere on a shelf and are never opened again. After the conference, think about those key takeaways and summarize them. This will help you follow through on your plan. Each of us will experience the meeting in a way that serves each of us best. Actively plan YOUR Annual Meeting. And last but not least, connect with your friends, share ideas and stories, and have fun! You’ll be in New Orleans!!