Conference / Networking Events: Things to bring & Tips to get the most out of it!
Atticus Li
Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), Growth Marketing & Product Marketing | $1B+ Client Acquisitions at SVB | Expert in A/B Testing, Digital Experimentation, UX, Acquisition, Retention & Revenue Optimization for Growth
Let`s start!
1. Gum/Mints. Chewing gum will help you calm any social anxieties, and it also keeps your mouth fresh!
2. Good writing supplies: A great pen, a backup pen, and another pen that you could rent it out to someone that forgot to bring any writing utensils. *This is how you make new friends! Also, don't forget to bring a small notebook for notetaking. I always write down people's names and a quote they said that stood out to me. Jot down any interesting conversations or topics that you might want to research later on back at the hotel / Airbnb.
3. Clipboard. Just trust me. You will want something flat to write on.
4. Business Cards - Not just any business cards! Most people's business cards get thrown out at the end of the event. To stand out: make sure your business card adds value to the other person. A good example is I was in SF and was attending an architecture photography workshop, and the photographer had business cards that had exposure and aperture settings printed on the back!
5. Portable battery. Keep your phone charged so you could add people on LinkedIn or any social media platform that they use. Here is a tip: Get their phone numbers. If you really want to connect with someone, get their phone numbers. Especially if someone is important, their social media might be full of messages, and you don't want to get lost in the crowd. You want to have a direct line of communication. Get their phone numbers, and send a text to them right after the exchange with your name, what you do, and where you two met.
6. Bring a light jacket! Most conferences are in large auditoriums, and with so many people, they need to keep the place cool. It will get chilly, and you don't want to be freezing at an event.
Extra Tip: Having a hard time remembering everyone that you had met?
Ask to take a picture with them and include their name tag in the photo! Or you could ask them to hold their name next to their face and snap a picture. Just ask nicely :)
Have I missed anything? What are your MUST-HAVE conference items?