There are two main reasons that attendees spend significant time and money going to conferences – education and networking. No surprise there. But did you know that by networking you can actually reach higher levels of learning? Research suggests that when you engage in discussing and sharing ideas with other attendees, your comprehension and retention of new information is higher.
So here are some networking tips to help you get the most out of WorldatWork 2010 Total Rewards Conference and Exposition:
BEFORE YOU GO:
Set up a personal networking goal. By thinking about why you are going to this conference and setting up a few realistic goals, you are sure to get more from the event. Plus, you will be better able to justify (to yourself and your boss) your attendance next year. Some examples: Commit to meeting at least 10 new people, or to learn how three attendees have solved an issue that you are having.
Register for the event community and reach out. Go to the Total Rewards 2010 Conference Attendees page, sign up for this group, read the discussions and jump in with your thoughts. Or start a new discussion.
So here are some networking tips to help you get the most out of WorldatWork 2010 Total Rewards Conference and Exposition:
BEFORE YOU GO:
Set up a personal networking goal. By thinking about why you are going to this conference and setting up a few realistic goals, you are sure to get more from the event. Plus, you will be better able to justify (to yourself and your boss) your attendance next year. Some examples: Commit to meeting at least 10 new people, or to learn how three attendees have solved an issue that you are having.
Register for the event community and reach out. Go to the Total Rewards 2010 Conference Attendees page, sign up for this group, read the discussions and jump in with your thoughts. Or start a new discussion.
Connect with other social networking tools. If you’re on LinkedIn, join the WorldatWork Association group. There are more than 6,000 members and many active discussions happening.
Twitter users can connect using the #tx10 hashtag. I’d love to connect with you as well, so follow me @pcrerar.
Facebook friends, keep updated via the WorldatWork page and post your attendance status on the event page.
DURING THE EVENT:
Update your status and share ideas and thoughts with your favorite social networking sites.
Make a point to introduce yourself to the presenters. Say hello to the speakers at the end of the presentation. Not only are they a wealth of knowledge, they are great at connecting you with others who have your interests and concerns.
Get out of your comfort zone. Don’t just hang around people you know. Sit down with strangers at lunch, say hi to attendees at presentations and in the trade show booth. Introduce yourself and your friends to people you don’t know at the networking events. This is really tough to do, especially for those of us who aren’t extroverts (yes, I confess I’m not a natural at this), but well worth the effort.
AFTER THE EVENT:
Write up a quick brief on what you learned and how you did with your goals.
Reach out to new contacts. Send them a quick email saying how much you enjoyed meeting with them and include your contact information. Also make sure to reach out to them on LinkedIn, to keep your new connections going.
Twitter users can connect using the #tx10 hashtag. I’d love to connect with you as well, so follow me @pcrerar.
Facebook friends, keep updated via the WorldatWork page and post your attendance status on the event page.
DURING THE EVENT:
Update your status and share ideas and thoughts with your favorite social networking sites.
Make a point to introduce yourself to the presenters. Say hello to the speakers at the end of the presentation. Not only are they a wealth of knowledge, they are great at connecting you with others who have your interests and concerns.
Get out of your comfort zone. Don’t just hang around people you know. Sit down with strangers at lunch, say hi to attendees at presentations and in the trade show booth. Introduce yourself and your friends to people you don’t know at the networking events. This is really tough to do, especially for those of us who aren’t extroverts (yes, I confess I’m not a natural at this), but well worth the effort.
AFTER THE EVENT:
Write up a quick brief on what you learned and how you did with your goals.
Reach out to new contacts. Send them a quick email saying how much you enjoyed meeting with them and include your contact information. Also make sure to reach out to them on LinkedIn, to keep your new connections going.
Recent Comments