Tips for Maximizing Your CSA Conference Experience
Attending the CSA Conference is an investment in your professional growth. With a little planning and intention, you can turn a great event into a truly impactful experience. Use the tips below to stay focused, make meaningful connections, and get the most value from your time at the conference.
Clear your work schedule. This is your time to focus on you and your business. Do your best to arrive early and stay through the closing event. You never know who you will meet or what you will learn.
Set clear goals. Define your objectives for attending the conference. Having these goals in place will help you prioritize your activities.
Plan your conference schedule. Review the conference agenda in advance and plan your schedule accordingly. Identify the sessions and speakers who align with your goals and interests.
Network effectively. Actively engage with other attendees. Go to networking events and introduce yourself. Most attendees are alone and would welcome a friendly hello.
Attend every session. Make sure you are attending every session you can, even the ones that might not be in your professional track. You never know who you might sit next to in a session, so there is value beyond the subject matter itself.
Visit exhibits and interact one-on-one with exhibitors. Remember that the exhibitors paid to meet you. They want you to come up and ask about their services or product. Even though you may not need their particular offering, opportunities might arise from networking with them. Perhaps they are looking for what YOU are offering.
Use social media. Promote that you are attending the conference for professional development purposes in advance. Let people know that you are committed to continuing education. Take selfies with thought leaders to show the caliber of professionals you are meeting at the conference. You can also post highlights of your experience and write blogs about the new information you’ve learned.
Follow-up after the conference. Whether you are following up one week after the event or six months after the event, it doesn’t matter. People will be honored that you remembered them and thought enough of them to keep in contact.