Ten Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Next Conference
Attending a conference can be energising, overwhelming, or often a bit of both – especially in the wonderfully dynamic world of education, fundraising, and alumni relations. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a seasoned pro, Cairney & Company Senior Consultant, Annarosa Muscatelli, shares her top ten tips that will help you turn your next conference into a truly valuable experience.
1. Set Clear Goals Before You Go
Are you looking to find new donor engagement strategies? Explore CRM solutions? Build your professional network? Make sure you define your top 2–3 priorities in advance so you can focus your time and energy effectively.
2. Do Your Homework
Review the agenda, speaker bios, and session descriptions ahead of time. Flag any must-attend sessions and note attendees of interest... you might find a peer institution or potential collaborator in the mix.
3. Plan to Participate, Not Just Attend
Remember, conferences aren't just about absorbing... you get so much more out of them if you are an active participant. So make sure you ask questions, join roundtables, and share your own experiences during discussions. The more you put in, the more you get out.
4. Networking with Purpose
Don’t leave this bit to chance. Be targeted in seeking out people you want to meet, whilst also being open to meeting unexpected new people. Introduce yourself to people between sessions, attend all the social events you can, and schedule coffee chats with people you are hoping to target. I have met future clients, peers and genuinely good friends at conferences… so keep your eyes open!
5. Use Social Media to Connect in Real Time
Engage on platforms like LinkedIn using the conference hashtag. Often conferences will have their own app too! It’s a great way to find and follow other attendees, share insights, and increase your visibility in the field.
6. Don’t Skip the Exhibit Hall (I mean, as a consultant I was bound to say this wasn’t I?)
Exhibitors and sponsors aren’t just selling – we are usually showcasing some of the latest tools and trends. Come and ask us about our work, the trends in the sector and have a think about how new solutions might fit your context. If all else fails, we tend to have a great selection of sweets… just saying!
7. Take Smart Notes
Rather than trying to record everything, jot down key takeaways, quotes, and action items. Organize them by theme (e.g., donor stewardship, alumni programming, data management) for easy reference.
8. Debrief with Colleagues Post-Conference
Share what you learned with your team, even (especially) if they didn’t attend. A short presentation or email recap can spark internal conversations, help make change and show how worthwhile it is sending team members to the conference in future.
9. Follow Up Promptly
Within a week, follow up with new contacts you want to stay in touch with. As with any relationship building, make sure you make it personal… mention a session or conversation to jog their memory. Make it authentic to you as well, this comes across even via email!
10. Reflect and Implement
The real value of a conference comes afterward. What can you actually apply? Choose one or two concrete ideas and commit to testing or implementing them in your work.
Conferences are a powerful space for professional growth and innovation. With the right strategy, you’ll return not only with new ideas but with real momentum for your work and your institution.
Oh, and finally… make sure you have fun! This makes all of the above points easier and makes the whole experience more enjoyable.