Summary: Getting the most out of your conference visits

Are you planning to visit a conference in the near future? Scott Berkun and many other authors write about how to get the most out of your visit. Here I am summarizing the key insights.
First, and most important: Think about your priorities!
Many participants have come a long way and this conference provides the means to meet and talk to them in person. So you should use this power wisely.

Preparation

• Have a look at the agenda, mark the sessions that interest you
• Make prioritization for concurrent sessions
• Have a look at the attendees list, for know faces or people you have something in common.
• Prepare your elevator pitch. Prepare for questions like: “Who are you and what is your research area?”
• Use twitter and google blog search to find other attendees
• Check out LinkedIn, meetup.com and upcoming.com, if there are events around and after the conference
• Don’t forget the good old business cards

Sessions / Workshops / Panels

• Contribution is probably the best way to make yourself know with the audience
• If you cannot contribute a presentation / paper, ask questions!
• Use your prioritization of concurrent sessions, if one session does not fulfill your needs leave for No. 2. There is only one chance to learn something, do not waste your time
• Keep a list of things you learnt during the day

After and between sessions

• Some conferences have social events or dinners scheduled on one of the nights of the conference
• If you are alone at the conference try to meet enough people during
• Take your time to explore the city you are in exercise (or combine them, like running up-hill to the Acropolis)
• Don’t forget the networking

After the conference

• Ship your stuff back to your office so you don’t have to carry it
• Make a road trip
• Do your follow-ups

You can find more details following the the links below.