Get the Most Out of Your Worldwide ERC Conference Experience
I am a firm believer if you or your employer has paid for you to attend a conference, that you should be in attendance every minute the doors are open. Whenever my employees attended conferences they knew I better not see them out at the pool bar during sessions. There is plenty of time set aside for networking outside of scheduled events.
Some might argue that the best networking might take place outside of scheduled events. I don’t argue with that, but attending conferences is not just about networking. It is about gathering educational knowledge in a classroom setting too. I have also found some great networking opportunities by getting to sessions early and chatting with my seatmates. They are clearly interested in the same topic of the session which gives you something to talk to them right off of the bat.
I believe conference attendance should be a carefully orchestrated event. Business cards. Check. Previewed agenda. Check. Scheduled meetings with prospective clients. Check. Reviewed attendee list. Check. Comfortable shoes. Check. Check. But it doesn’t end when the conference is over.
Here are some tips to make the most out of your conference:
Make sure and follow up with all of your new contacts by requesting to connect with them on LinkedIn. Send a personalized invitation reminding them of where you met and make sure and deliver anything you may have promised them.
Follow their company’s page on all social media platforms
Add them to your CRM for future follow-up.
It’s always nice to have a small giveaway with your company information on it. Easy to pack and something useful.
Just because someone isn’t with a company that can give you business directly, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t connect with them. They may be a great source of referrals.
If you come across an article or listened to a session that you think they may like, forward the article or notes you took or slides to your new contact.
If you attended a session but did not get a chance to meet the presenters, still connect with them on LinkedIn and mention something from their talk that you particularly liked.
Hang out in the lobby during breaks to connect with those that have not registered but are in the hotel.
Ask someone you admire to breakfast before the sessions start. You may make a valuable connection and get some great advice.
If everyone is headed to the bar or parties after scheduled hours, make an appearance even if you are exhausted. There may be more people there who are not registered or who you just haven’t crossed paths with yet.
Attend the scheduled sit-down lunches. The people at your table are a captive audience for an hour.
If you have multiple people attending from your company, divide and conquer. Don’t hang out together, you can engage with twice the people if you split up.
Take note of anyone who wins awards or achieves a designation. Congratulate them by sending a note through LinkedIn.
Don’t forget to send a message to your existing contacts that you see at the conference telling them how great it was to see them.
Wear your badge! Even in the bar. Since we will all be wearing masks, you may not be as easily recognizable. That is how people will connect your face with your name and remember you.
I hope to see you all there. If you would like to schedule an appointment with me while in Chicago, please let me know. Please attend my session on Thursday at 2:00 about the Broker Supplier Relationship. teresa@teresahowe.com
“Networking is more about ‘farming’ than it is about ‘hunting. It’s about cultivating relationships.” ~Dr. Ivan Misner, Founder & Chief Visionary Officer of BNI, the world’s largest business networking organization
