FREE Articles for Your Publication (Use the Back button to return to article list.)

Getting the most out of conferences you attend

by June Van Klaveren

It may be the time of year when you may be attending educational and industry conferences. Here are a few tips for making the most of your experience.

Attend the conference with a single focus. Attend the sessions that cover your focus, even though others might be attractive.

Before the conference

• Be sure you are well-rested; spend the night near by if necessary.
• Set objectives -- what specifically do you want to learn more about?
• Be sure you take lots of business cards.
• If this is the type of seminar that has concurrent "breakout" sessions, go over the agenda carefully in advance so you can plan your time and spend it on the sessions that are in alignment with your objectives.
• Find out who is going to attend the meeting or seminar so you will know whom you want to meet.

During the conference:

• Participate! The more you participate the more you will get out of it.
• If you go with a friend or coworker, don't sit with them or attend similar sessions (if there are multiple sessions).
• Take lots of notes, even if the event is being taped. The physical act of writing the information will help you absorb it.
• Make a list, separate from your notes, of action items -- specific things that you want to do and/or implement right away.
• Exchange business cards with other attendees that have synergy with your business. Be sure to make notes on the back of each card about the person and the reason for your interest in them, or you will forget.

June Van Klaveren, owner of Compelling Communications, helps her clients attract and keep customers. To contact her, call 800-779-0067 or email

All of these free articles for reprint may be freely published in any e-zine, newsletter, newspaper, magazine, website, etc. as long as my name and bio remain in tact. Please when you run my work. Just be sure to NOT edit them in any way and to always INCLUDE the credit line at the bottom. Copyright laws apply!