How can you use IC networking events to stay current on new technology?

1 Choose the right events

Not all IC networking events are created equal. Some may be more focused on specific topics, industries, or regions, while others may be more general or broad. Depending on your goals and interests, you may want to select the events that are most relevant and useful for you. For example, if you want to learn about a new platform or tool, you may want to attend a demo or a workshop. If you want to hear about best practices or case studies, you may want to join a panel or a keynote. If you want to connect with other communicators or potential partners, you may want to join a mixer or a roundtable.

2 Prepare your questions

One of the benefits of attending IC networking events is that you can ask questions and get feedback from the speakers, panelists, and other attendees. This can help you gain more insights and perspectives on how to use new technology in your communication strategy. To make the most of this opportunity, you should prepare your questions in advance. Think about what you want to learn, what challenges you face, and what solutions you are looking for. You can also do some research on the speakers, panelists, and vendors, and see what they have to offer or what they have done before.

3 Follow up and stay in touch

After attending an IC networking event, you should follow up and stay in touch with the people you met and the information you learned. You can send a thank-you note or a LinkedIn request to the speakers, panelists, and other attendees, and express your appreciation and interest. You can also share your feedback or thoughts on the event, and ask for more details or resources if needed. You can also join online communities or groups related to the event, and participate in discussions or webinars. By staying in touch, you can build your network, deepen your knowledge, and discover new opportunities.

4 Experiment and apply

Finally, you should experiment and apply what you learned from the IC networking events to your own communication strategy. You can test out new tools or platforms, and see how they fit your needs and goals. You can also implement new techniques or methods, and see how they improve your communication effectiveness and efficiency. You can also measure and evaluate your results, and see what works and what doesn't. By experimenting and applying, you can keep up with new technology, and enhance your communication skills and performance.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?