Attending any conference—much less the largest exhibition in the mattress industry—can feel a little like drinking water from a fire hose. To keep from drowning, you’ll need a game plan, says Ragan Communications.
You might think that means writing down a summary of every session you attend or collecting as many business cards as you can (hey, it’s not a competition!). But take a beat. The purpose of any conference is to gather actionable insights and connections to bring back to your business. So, try tweaking your conference approach:
At sessions: Focus your notetaking on specific actions to take, questions for your team to help improve your processes, or cool insights to benefit your organization.
When networking: Write down a note about that person on their business card or in your contacts list to remind yourself why you want to reconnect post-conference.
To recharge: Even if you are the social one at work, conferences can feel really overwhelming. Give yourself a break by taking a few minutes to rest in your room or by walking or sitting outside. It will help you process the information you’ve already gathered and help you stay engaged when you’re ready to jump back in.
The week after the conference: List out and complete any simple action items based on what you learned at the conference. Include scheduling meetings or conversations with new connections or team members, and add detailed notes on what you plan to discuss (this is a gift to your future self, especially if you’re scheduling meetings weeks in advance!). Also, map out other action items that will take more time.
Within a month after the conference: Maximize your experience by sharing what you learned with team members. That can look different depending on your office, but try a lunch-and-learn, write an article for an internal newsletter, or create a concise report.
A physical business card is still used by 78% of employed and self-employed professionals, according to a Vistaprint survey of 800 U.S. working professionals. But here’s the twist: More people are using a hybrid version by adding QR codes (36%) or by using digital formats like NFC (near-field communication) technology (30%). If you work internationally, remember that exchanging physical business cards is more formal and ceremonial in countries such as Germany, Japan, and China, and in the Middle East. •
