How To Be AWESOME at a Conference

At First30 we’re ALL about first impressions because they matter. When we attend a conference we’ll be meeting a lot of new people. This means a lot of first impressions to master. When people meet us, they are highly cognitively receptive. Their brains are engaging in the process of imprinting.

No pressure, but we're almost incapable of changing someone’s impression of us once it’s been established. This means that when we attend events where we’ll be meeting lots of new people, it could not be a more important time to put our best foot forward.

I’ve spoken at and attended many more conferences than I can remember. Fortunately for me, I LOVE conferences, particularly when I’m in a new city. I notice that some people are exceptionally skilled at conferences and creating a buzz around themselves, while others seem to struggle.

Here are some tips that I’ve learned along the way that will help you make a splash at a conference and make the most of the experience.

1. Wear Something Distinctive: Want to be noticed in a sea of people? Wear bright colours or a cool piece of jewelry. As an exhibitor, branded gear is great, but you’ll want to make it stand out with a pop of colour.?It can be an excellent conversation starter AND it will make you more memorable.
2. Chat With Everyone: Yes, your primary purpose may be to network with industry peers or find new clients, but my recommendation is not to discriminate. Make your table at lunch or your booth THE place to be by engaging with the people around you whether they are prospects or not, and by creating a fun and interesting environment.
3. Be Curious: Channel your inner Ted Lasso! Ask lots of questions because there’s always something to learn. Asking Founders what made them decide to start their business always gets them excited and engaged. Asking employees what they like about working with the company can lead to some interesting conversations.
4. Make Generous Conversation: I cannot tell you how many times I’ve asked someone about themselves, and they excitedly engage, and then don’t ask anything about anyone else. Part of being a great conversationalist is being a great listener.
5. Work in Time to Refresh: Whether you’re an attendee or exhibitor, conferences can be exhausting and overwhelming. Get fresh air, start your day with some form of movement, or take a nap before your evening event (yup, guilty!). You want to make the most of the experience, and that can mean taking a break for some ‘me’ time.
6. Avoid Hard Sales: I’m a firm believer in walking out of conferences with a great list of prospects and new network members. Sometimes I even leave with new friends. I don’t think many people leave with confirmed deals, and that’s okay. Make your objective to nurture and build your network and you'll never be disappointed.
7. Don’t Give Your Sales Pitch at Someone Else’s Booth: Okay, admittedly this one drives me a little nuts, and it happens all the time. Companies have invested in their booth, and they will be looking to network, likely with prospective clients. Doing a hard sell for your business at another supplier's booth is bad form and will do nothing to attract them to your business.
8. Plan Ahead: Do a little research about who is speaking and which vendors are exhibiting that you’d like to see. Show floors can get intense. Studying the floor plan and knowing who you’d like to see and speak with, as well as the speakers you can’t miss will make your experience more fulfilling and significantly easier.

? BONUS: ***Wear comfortable shoes*** ?

Attending and exhibiting at conferences is hard work. You’re trying to absorb tons of information while meeting tons of new people. The key to success is pacing yourself by not committing to too much, and making sure you keep your energy up. If you follow the tips above, I’ve no doubt that you’ll impress and that you’ll get the most from the experience!

Hope to see you at a conference sometime soon!

Amy Davies is the CEO of First30, Co-Founder of Voycer, and a Corporate Speaker and author. If you’d like Amy to speak at one of your upcoming events, you can check out her speaker reel and get in touch with Talk About Speakers HERE.