Spell Out What You Want to Accomplish

This sounds too easy. But, how many of us have gone to a conference without knowing what we want to walk away with or who we want to meet while we’re there. I always write down the top three to five things that I want to gain from attending. This helps me narrow down which sessions to attend and which vendors to spend more time with.

Review the Conference Program Before You Arrive

Most conferences today post the agenda, session descriptions, and exhibitor information online several weeks before the conference. The ISTE 2014 website includes great search functionality by day, session type, and so much more. Using the Favorites tool helps me keep focused on my goals while looking through the program. Then, I use the mobile apps to make sure that everything I need and all of my choices stay literally right under my fingertips. If you haven’t gotten you apps yet, click the icons below to go directly to the appropriate site.

Apple App Store

Google Play Store

Schedule Meetings Ahead of Time

Use pre-keynote coffee time, lunch, and breaks to schedule meetings with people you know will be attending or working the conference. For example, at last year’s iNACOL Conference, I wanted to learn as much as possible about LMS systems, so I reached out to experts and set up specific appointments to meet and share.

Get Social

Even if you’re attending solo, going to some of the nighttime, vendor-sponsored socials helps to make connections with other like-minded educators and industry experts. I usually review various edtech e-zines beforehand. That way, I’m already armed for times with the conversation lulls.

Use Social Media

I’ve met people and made connections at conferences by live-tweeting the events, retweeting, and replying directly to other attendees. If someone cool show up in the feed, ask to meet them in person. Be sure to use hashtags and to attribute quotes to the speakers (with their Twitter handles if you have them).

Bring Plenty of Business Cards

Old school? Maybe. But not everyone uses the bump-app to share contact info. Plus, holding the actual business card presents a physical reminder to reach out and reconnect after the conference. Use the back of the card to make a cryptic note that jogs your memory about that person and how you might work together in the future.

Today's Challenge:

If you’re planning on attending or would like for me to connect with someone from your school or company, reach out via email, cell or tweets. I’d love to share coffee and conversation about the edtech world and what we’re doing to move blended, personalized learning forward.