Don't Waste Your Conference: 10 Tips to Make the Most Out of Your 2018 IAHCSMM Conference & Expo

"Like drinking from a fire hose."

That's what many conference attendees have to say when they return home on a knowledge and networking high from annual conferences such as IAHCSMM, AORN, OR Today, IDN Summit, AAOS Annual meeting, and many others. So much coming at you so fast, arms filled up with literature and door prizes, and more new names rolling around your head than could fill a notebook. Although these events will always be filled with a flurry of activity, there are some things you can do to ensure you come out the other side making the most of an exciting conference like the 2018 IAHCSMM Annual Conference and Expo.

Here are 10 tips to become a conference attendee pro:

1) Pre-game Your Networking

The IAHCSMM pre-conference starts tomorrow in Phoenix. But you don't (and shouldn't) have to wait until you hit the front doors of the Grand Sheraton to begin your conference networking. Now is the time to be coordinating meetups, coffee, lunch, dinner, and other random events with your peers and industry vendors you'd like to get to know better. As mentioned above, the conference itself is going to be crazy for vendors and attendees alike, so make sure you carve out your must-have meetings now -- via LinkedIn, email, and old fashion word of mouth. If you pre-game it, they will come.

2) Use a Calendar

Speaking of coordination, don't leave your handy Outlook or GoogleCal at home for the conference week -- it will be invaluable in making the most of your time before, during, and after each conference day. Treat the conference like you would your typical day at the office: schedule meetings, prioritize which sessions you'll be able to sit in on, and make sure you have booth numbers and locations handy for when you stumble into the busy vendor expo center. This will save you valuable time wandering around and allow you to get the biggest return on your time-investment while being around so many other leaders. Plus, you won't accidentally miss the free cocktails at 6pm...

3) Bring Business Cards

You're going to meet a TON of folks during the conference -- standing in line, eating lunch together, huddled around the newest OR/SPD widget in the Expo -- and you're going to want them to be able to reach back out for long-term networking once the event is over. Allowing folks to put a name with a face (and a facility) is a great way to make sure you're not just another face in the crowd of conference goers. "Oh yeah! You're Bill from Drexler Health. Great to see you again!" These folks may be your future employees, competitions, or just go-to best practice sharers. Don't leave their contact info to your burnt out conference memory -- get that card!

4) Bring a Resume*

*If you're in the market for bigger and better opportunities in the OR/SPD space, it could be a good idea to come to the conference with a stack of your updated resumes. You won't want to indiscriminately make it rain with your resume with every person you meet, but if the conversation naturally turns to job opportunities, what better way to make an immediate impact than to have your credentials ready to go at arms length? It definitely couldn't hurt. Just be careful that anyone who may know you at the conference also already knows that you're looking for a job. You would not want to come home only to find your boss asking when you were planning to tell them you were leaving.

5) Have a Game-Plan and Make a Friend

Similar to the calendar tip, having a game-plan prior to each conference day can ensure you check everything off your to-do list before the final day of activities when they kick everyone out to close up shop. Map out your "down times" according to the conference schedule and prioritize those vendors and other leaders you would be disappointed if you didn't get to see. Instead of trying to fill up your time off the cuff, consider making Sunday "leader networking day", Monday "department equipment day", etc., etc. You can flex it anytime you want, but it's much better to flex than to flounder. Connected to this, if you didn't come with someone to the conference, make a new friend and explore together. Conferences are meant to be experienced in community.

6) Stretch your Comfort Zone

For some of us, a huge room full of strangers is invigorating. For others, it's the things nightmares are made of. Wherever you fall on the spectrum of socializing, be intentional about stretching yourself to go out of your comfort zone during the week of the conference. You don't have to turn into a social butterfly overnight, but be willing to talk to strangers and make new connections, and make sure not to insulate yourself with your "crew" so much that you don't get to meet anyone new at all. We are all there for the same reasons -- to learn and grow. And I promise, most of us don't bite . . . very hard.

7) Take Notes (on Everything)

I'm not opposed to just experiencing new product demonstrations or being wrapped up in an eloquent talk on OSHA safety standards, but make sure to write down any novel idea or connection that comes to mind in the midst of all the action. You may think you'll remember it when you get back to the hotel room or back to work on Monday, but those little ideas have an annoying way of disappearing like smoke on a windy day. If something sparks your interest, jot it down -- legibly and coherently -- so that you can look back in a week or two and be reminded of the next earth shattering idea for the OR/SPD industry. You may even want to compare notes with your facility peers who attend with you. As Proverbs says, "In the abundance of counselors, there is wisdom."

8) Ask Questions (about Everything)

Perhaps more than any other tip on this list, being willing to ask questions could be the most beneficial action you can take during industry conferences like this. Whether it is during a conversation with an OR/SPD leader from the other side of the country or an educational presentation by an industry expert, make it a point to follow-up with understanding-driven questions. "How exactly did you put that new scope handling process in place? How did you get buy-in from OR leaders?" "What is the typical financial justification given for this type of equipment?" "Is there a current user near me that I can reach out to for additional information?" As G.K. Chesterton so aptly said, "There is no such thing on earth as an uninteresting subject; the only thing that can exist is an uninterested person."

9) See the City

Anytime you get to attend a conference in a destination city like Phoenix or Nashville, try your best to schedule some time to go out and see the city. You will definitely want to spend some time at the the well known "touristy" spots and if possible make a swing by dives that only the locals know about (ask your cabbie or Uber drive, and then confirm on Yelp or Google Reviews before you head that way). Theses cities have fantastic food, plenty of live music, and a number of local breweries for those who are so inclined. You may never get another chance to visit these locations, so try your best to make the most of it. No one is taking attendance at the conference sessions, so don't feel like you're locked into being on site for the entire week.

10) Get Some Sleep

And last but not least, be sure to get plenty of sleep -- both before and during the conference days. You paid a lot of money and traveled a lot of miles for this opportunity, the last thing you want to do is take a very expensive nap during one of the morning sessions. This doesn't mean you can't make the most of the conference cocktails and nightlife, but make sure to prioritize a little shut-eye to ensure you are at the top of your networking/learning game every morning for the conference day kickoff.

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"Hello, my name is Hank." And I'll see you at the conference!

W. Hank Balch ? April 2018

Hank Balch is the Founder and CEO of iSterile, a next generation Sterile Processing consulting firm with focus on operational improvement, accreditation survey preparedness, interim-leadership placement, and brand consulting for CS/SPD vendors. He is also the Co-Founder & Host of the Beyond Clean Podcast, a weekly international podcast discussing industry topics with the biggest names in Sterile Processing. You can find over 100 other Sterile Processing articles and commentary here, along with published articles in Becker's Hospital Review, Infection Control Today, AAMI News, AAMI BI&T Journal, Outpatient Surgery Magazine, and contributions to Healthcare Purchasing News. Hank's CS/SPD team in Louisville, KY was named the "2016 CS/SPD Department of the Year" by HPN, he's served as the President of the South Texas Association of Sterile Processing Services and President of the Kentuckiana IAHCSMM Chapter, and was nominated for the 2017 President-Elect & 2018 President-Elect of the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management.