Making the Most of a Conference, Convention, or Trade Show

My next column for the Mensa publication, The Intelligencer, is on making the most of a conference. I thought you might like an advance look.




The Life Well-Led

By Marty Nemko




Making the Most of a Conference, Convention, or Trade Show




When I came home from conferences, I often would ask myself
if it was worth the hassle and time of going.




Now, I less often feel that way. What has helped is that I do
each of these. Perhaps they may help you make more of the upcoming Mensa Regional Gathering. (RG.)




Before leaving for a conference, I think about what I want
to accomplish there. Sometimes it’s as simple and vague as R&R and learning
something new. Other times, I want to try to get quality time with particular
people I know will be at the conference.




I enjoy speaking so I always apply to present a session.
I’ve titled my session at the upcoming RG, “What the Hell is the Meaning of
Life?” I’ll share the stops and starts in my journey to define the life well-led.
 If I were single, I’d probably volunteer
at the registration table or as a welcomer for newcomers.




If the conference is far away, I try to arrive on the early
side. Not only does that improve my ratio of conference time to travel time,
fewer people are there early, which seems to make it easier for me to establish
or build relationships.




I arrive early at sessions. That allows time to talk with people
and perhaps ask someone to sit next to me during the session.  




During such pre-session chats, in between sessions, or at
the hospitality suite, etc., I occasionally find myself wishing I could
extricate myself from a conversation. Until recently, I felt guilty about cutting-off
the person but a friend told me a tactful way to do it: At a propitious moment,
I stick my hand out, shake the person’s hand and say something like, “I’m going
to grab something to eat. Maybe we’ll talk more later.” (And maybe not.)




At sessions, I’ll often ask a question. We grow from such
customized active learning.




Sometimes, I skip an hour or two of sessions and instead, talk
with someone or visit the exhibit area. The latter are often underrated.
Vendors often send top people to staff their booth. Visiting the exhibit area provides
an easy opportunity to chat one-on-one with some particularly interesting
people.




If I want quality time with someone, I ask if he or she
wants to sit together for one of the scheduled meals, to have a drink, or to go
out for a meal or walk.




If I’ve not planned to sit next to someone at one of the
conference meals, I try to arrive just a few minutes after the scheduled meal
period begins. That way, I’ll have a good choice of people to sit next to yet I
haven’t arrived so late that almost all the seats are taken.




Throughout the conference, I make note of people I want to
follow-up with or things I want to do in light of the conference. I try to do those
things right after the conference. Knowing me, every passing hour makes it less
likely I’ll actually do them.




I hope to see you at the RG. 
If I do, I hope you won’t take offense if I stick my hand out.