The spring and summer seasons are conference seasons! Her Conference is just around the corner. But what if you’ve never been to a conference?
- Take your time
You don’t have to go to every session. I repeat, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GO TO EVERY SESSION. It is perfectly acceptable to sit a few out, if that’s what you need to do. Sometimes, your nerves are shot after being around a large amount of people if you aren’t an extrovert. Don’t push yourself to go to everything; it’s better to take some time for yourself versus having a meltdown because you’re too overwhelmed.
2. Say hi
I was at my first conference about a month ago. I wish I would have said hi to more people and networked better than I did. I worked the conference and I feel like I spent more time running from place to place and trying to be a perfectionist at all times versus actually getting to know people.
3. Try something new
There might be a session that you know nothing about. Don’t be afraid to go to it! Contrastingly, go to what you are familiar with as well. I went to a Harry Potter-themed session, and it was one of the highlights of the conference. I also went to a session that dealt with public speaking, which I am not generally comfortable with. That was probably my favorite and most informative session. It taught me how to relax before a presentation or interview. Taking to people beforehand makes you loosen up and get less tongue-tied
4. Go exploring
The conference I attended was at my school, so I didn’t get to do this. If you travel to a conference, take the time to visit places. For example, Her Conference is in New York City. Try to do something that isn’t part of the conference. I would personally go see the Empire State Building. I wouldn’t have to go in it, but I want to see it and know that it is the Empire State Building.
5. Have fun
Don’t try to fill your schedule completely! Allow sometime to have fun and enjoy yourself. Conferences can be fun things, no matter what the topic.