Have the right equipment and do your homework
Conferences can serve as great opportunities to connect with prospective customers and allies, as well as gain a wealth of knowledge that can help your business flourish. Before you attend your next meeting, here are some game-changing tips to consider, so that you can get the most out of the experience.
1. Do not show up unprepared.
Instead, study the itinerary beforehand so that you can formulate a game-plan in your head. Having an expectation for what is to come is important, so that you can generate conquerable goals. If you are going to the conference with coworkers, be sure to coordinate your actions with them. After all, your overreaching priority is to gather the most pertinent information to your company and converse with as many people as possible. You can also do some research to find out what former or prospective connections are attending the conference, as this will allow you to ensure that you are talking to the right people.
Being open to spontaneous conversations and small talk is essential as well, because you cannot be completely certain what unfamiliar, yet resourceful, individuals you will stumble across. Walk around with a welcoming smile on your face and eagerness to socialize. Even acclimating yourself with the space and layout of the building can facilitate your navigating the conference. Make sure you complete any pressing projects before the conference, so that you can concentrate on networking and absorbing knowledge.
2. Pack with you all of the necessary materials.
Take count of helpful items like chargers, business cards, demonstration materials, and professional clothing. Establishing a Linkedin profile that allows you to keep tabs on your growing pool of connections is vital to future success. Every time you meet someone fascinating, you should exchange usernames with them. Linkedin is a valuable site for networking, as it allows you to keep in touch with the vast array of people you meet, as well as showcase your accomplishments and projects. Thanks to social media, it is easy to join in on massive conversations through posting with Twitter and Instagram hashtags that might have been created for the conference.
3. Don’t hesitate to document your experience by taking notes.
Recording your observations in a notepad or electronic device will allow you to swiftly recall the experience once you return home. Be sure to take specific and orderly notes that clearly state full names, companies, titles, and other striking details, so that you can actually put these notes to use when the time comes. Otherwise, you might be scratching your head, months from now, wondering who “Jane Smith” is and what company she is from.
Once you return to your office, you should sift through the information you have collected and exchange it with your coworkers. You should also follow up with the connections you establish early on, because generating loyalty and trust among individuals outside you company, as well as inviting their input and support, can lead to monumental achievements within your organization and even personal career.
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About IGM Creative Group
IGM Creative Group provides advertising solutions, marketing strategy and web development for Fortune 500, mid-market and small businesses.
166 Main Street, Suite 202, Lincoln Park, NJ, 07035.
Contact by phone at 973-709-1126Send an email to creativeteam@igmcreativegroup.com