8 Tips to Stay Energized, Network, and Follow Up at Your Next Conference  

I have had the honor of speaking at numerous conferences around the world as part of my amazing job. But, no matter your field, chances are there are work conferences you want to go to or are required to attend. Plan ahead and follow a few easy tips to make ensure you get the most out of your work conferences whether the concept sounds like fun…or completely overwhelming…or both!

1. Eliminate FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
No matter what it takes, drop the fear of missing out from your mind. There are great people all around you at conferences. One can meet incredible people in the bathroom line, while grabbing coffee, and to your left and right at events. Oftentimes the most sought-after parties, events, and panels are a nightmare to get into, no matter who you are. They can be loud, chaotic messes with endless people trying to grab onto the next big thing.

Solution: be present in the moment. Do not look past the person you are speaking with when you are making connections. You will build a more genuine and authentic network this way. Most importantly, know that some of the strongest connections are often made in real life, in real time, and not at events others think they should be at because Twitter told them so.

2. Make a Schedule, but Don’t be Hard on Yourself when You Don’t Make Everything on Your Timetable
Create a color-coded schedule: one color can be things you are required to do, and another color can be the things that you want to do or might check out. That way you can more easily prioritize when you realize how far apart some locations are, and you are not too hard on yourself if you need to miss a few things.

Of course, try to keep any individual appointments, but you may get more out of doing fewer things well, rather than trying to be at every panel from morning til night. So when building your schedule, remember that you are human. If you schedule back-to-back meetings, do so in the same place, so that people are coming to you. That is not being inconsiderate — for the simple reason that no one has an office at conferences; everyone is going to see each other. Thus, it’s a great idea to stake out a table at a hotel restaurant, coffee shop, or conference space, and schedule meetings in a row at the same place. Your sanity and feet will thank you.

Similarly, at huge events like SXSW, do not be afraid to RSVP for everything. This will give you flexibility in your schedule in case the line for something you had planned on attending is hours long. It also creates adjustability if people you are hanging with want to go to something that you had not planned on. Simply put, it will be easier to get you in.

3. Prepare!
If you are speaking at a conference, prepare! Those who do are always stronger and receive the best feedback. Even if you are an expert in your field and speaking about what you do every day, take five  or ten minutes to really walk thru it; think about what you want to say and how you want to get information across. At the least, this will help you speak and position yourself with a rhythm and poise that you might not otherwise demonstrate.

Another good way to prep: focusing your mind for your speaking engagement. Grab a few minutes in the morning or even midday in the bathroom or in a quiet spot to meditate. Just a minute or two can calm the mind and ensure that your diction comes across as strong, and at a pace you envisioned.

Lastly, bring your phone charger with you for the day! You will most likely be using your phone more than usual to get around, communicate, and post to social media, so the battery will go more quickly than what you are used to. Then network with others at charging stations, or mesh over the luck of finding a precious outlet. You never know who you will meet!

4. To Truly Thrive, Take Care of Yourself
You want to be sharp, so give your mind and body what they require: get enough sleep the night before the conference, the week before the conference, and while you are at the conference. This will enable you to be ready to go in the morning and not be spent later in the day.

Also, similar to the poise noted above in point number 3, if regular exercise is something you glean benefits from re: your energy level, try to work it in during the conference. Whether it is a quick run in the morning, or a few sun salutations in the hotel room, either can help you focus and put your mind at ease and on track for the day.

If there is truly no time and you exercise regularly, know that you will be walking and on your feet much of the time. If the conference has multiple locations within a city, look into renting a bike or see if the city has a bikeshare. This is a great way to get to places on time, get some exercise in, and people will notice you on your bike. (This last point is the easiest form of networking possible; you do not even have to talk to anyone to be seen!)

And finally: wear comfortable shoes! When I was twenty-five, I offered Dr. Scholl’s inserts to team members and was called “old” for doing so. By the end, though, those team members regretted their initial teasing and ridicule, to say the least! If you must wear uncomfortable shoes, slip a pair of sandals or sneakers into your bag to swap out for the walk back to your lodging or to wear during downtime. Once again, your feet will thank you later.

5. Remember to Eat
Along these same lines, do not forget to eat! This happens often at conferences when the entire day is planned and suddenly it’s 4:00 p.m. and you realize you have not really eaten since grabbing a bagel from the hotel in the morning. Schedule in meals, even if it is just some time alone to grab a bite and some well­-deserved quiet time. Or put together a meal with colleagues and encourage them to invite others.

In addition, do not forget to eat while networking (“power lunch” is a phrase that has been around awhile for a reason!).  If the conference does not have a central hotel, consider renting lodging via Airbnb. This is a great way to prioritize healthy eating and to save money on food because you can shop for groceries and snacks. Even just having a good breakfast alone can set the tone for a productive and busy day.

6. Hydrate
When water is available or offered to you, take it. Or bring your own water bottle to fill throughout the day. You will be talking, caffeinating, and possibly drinking at night, so when H2O comes your way, do not pass it up.

Similarly, skip the day drinks or alcoholic drinks altogether. Yes, it is fun to be out of the office, but you are still at a work conference. (Let others slosh it up and regret the damage to their reputations later.) Have a drink or two if that is your style, but do not feel you have to by any means. If you want to blend into a crowd that prioritizes alcohol, snag a non­alcoholic cocktail or beer. Generally the people who are drinking are under the influence enough not to notice, and if they do, who cares?

7. Networking and Following up Effectively
Always attend conferences with plenty of business cards! Cards can be something we take for granted if they live in our wallets, so you do not want to show up and find you only have a few left. In addition to giving out cards, do not forget to ask others for theirs if they are someone you connect with, want to stay in touch with, or plan to follow up with. No matter how great your conversation is, chances are you may forget by the time the conference wraps up. Coming home with a stack of business cards can help jog your memory when you are spent, and it ensures you do not lose any of the connections you made.

If there is a clear next step on working together, of course drop an email to set up a call, or whatever is appropriate. If not? Add everyone from your stack of cards on LinkedIn. For anyone you particularly connected with and want to stay in touch with, follow them on Twitter and shoot them a tweet that it was great to meet them, etc. This can be a fun way to engage post-­conference because who wants another email if it is not necessary?

Also, remember that it’s called “social networking” for a reason: to that point, don’t forget to let others know prior to leaving for your conference — it looks great to post the info. It shows you are rocking it in your career, and you may get responses from friends and colleagues, connecting you with others you did not know were attending the conference.

8. Have Fun!
Whether you are the life of the party or as shy as can be, enjoy being out of the office. Find a friend or a colleague you can stick with for a bit to help break the ice and get going. Conferences are a good opportunity to get to know others in your field and make e­mail addresses, voices on the phone, and social media pictures come to life. There is nothing, after all, that replaces human interaction. So enjoy it, and even if mingling with a group of peers from work sounds challenging, know that it probably is for others as well. Introduce yourself to the people around you. You may be surprised about what you have in common, and what you’ve learned.