A Pre-Conference Planning Guide

Keith Ferrazzi, an expert on relationship development and author of Never Eat Alone and Who’s Got Your Back? provides these tips for getting the most out of attending conferences and social events.

In brief, they are:

1. Consider why you’re attending the event and write down what you want to accomplish and/or who you want to meet to better plan your time;

2. Use your sleuthing skills to get a list of attendees and keep it with you at all times to take notes about the people you meet;

3. From the attendee list, see if you can learn more about the people you want to meet - not just their business interests - to find topics of conversation;

4. Try to arrange a meeting with your top three targets before the conference begins or, failing that, leave a message at their hotel (quite possibly the same one you’re staying in) inviting them to join you and friends for drinks the first evening;

5. To get noticed, take advantage of Q&As. Stand up tall, state your name and company, and ask an intelligent question about the presenter’s topic. You’ll be remembered as a thoughtful listener with keen insights.

6. Don’t stand in a queue to meet the speakers; venture out and meet other attendees who will also have information to share;

7. Try to find a buddy to support and guide you as you work the conference crowd - and be sure to tell your buddy exactly why you’re at the conference (refer back to tip #1);

8. Instead of checking emails during breaks, mingle with the crowds. In many instances, you can eat during the presentations - as long as it’s not overly odoriferous;

9. If seating is not assigned at dinner, invite folks you meet during the day to join your table and get into deeper conversations to establish your connection.

Keith offers more sage advice and free resources on connecting with others on his website, http://www.keithferrazzi.com/.