My Top 10 Lessons from Attending Conferences
It’s been a busy 6 months. I’ve attended 3 Conferences / Conventions, traveling to:
- Los Angeles for a Cathy Heller conference focused on self-help, inspiration, reaching your dreams
- Las Vegas for Podcast Movement Evolutions – and before you ask, no, I don’t have a podcast…yet…maybe…who knows…
- Palm Springs for Alt Summit’s Amplifying Women’s Voices – for women influencers and entrepreneurs in creative fields.
It’s been a whirlwind, and awkward, and fun, and boring, and well….all the things.
Here’s 10 lessons from attending conferences that will help you if you decide to venture out of town (especially by yourself) to a conference or or convention, training or workshop.
These lessons are beyond the obvious of bring some pens, a notebook or two, layers of clothes as you might be going from air conditioned buildings to hot outdoor weather, etc.
LESSON ONE: LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS
Forgive yourself if you don’t go to all the events and lectures.
Unless you are there for continuing education credits, lose the idea that you MUST be everywhere and learn everything. Because you WILL crash, especially if its more than 2 days.
Currently I just finished a 11 night trip, that included 8 days of conference.
That’s a LOT of material.
A lot of information.
A lot of Sitting.
A lot of socializing.
LESSON TWO: BE PICKY
Piggy backing on Lesson 1, look at the schedule of events.
What really interests you?
Which events fit with your pace?
I had to figure out if I really wanted to go to podcast focused sessions, without having a current podcast. I did find that listening to great speakers have valuable information that can apply to other areas of your life as well.
In those moments that I wasn’t impressed, I quietly walked out. Sit in the back if you think a session might be a “walk out” one.
LESSON THREE: TRY SOMETHING NEW
One of the things at the Las Vegas conference was a private party on the rooftop club at The Cromwell – Drai’s NightClub. Now, I’m 44 and don’t consider myself “cool” (and neither would my kids who are almost old enough to go to that nightclub themselves lol). So that was a “nope” from me on my way down here.
It took my husband, my seat mate on the plane, and new conference friends down here in Vegas, to all end up convincing me that going to something that doesn’t normally seem like your typical event, has it’s value.
And for me….it might just be only for the free drinks and the people watching. And that is ok.
What I found was that was one of my highlights of the week, and an excellent networking opportunity.
Pro Tip: Bring something appropriate to wear to the afterhours events, even if you don’t plan to attend.
LESSON FOUR: BREAK OUT OF YOUR SHELL
Ekkk…meeting people?
Walking up and saying hello?
If that sounds terrifying to you – assume it does to at least 50% of the other people attending as well.
So go with this theory…. What do you have to lose?
So, they will think you are a dork, or you decide, this person is whacked?
Then, there is always the bathroom escape and head a different direction.
Unless this is your company event, you won’t need to see this person again.
Move on, and find someone else interesting to talk to.
LESSON FIVE: ALLOW YOURSELF ALONE TIME
As I’m writing this, I’m hiding out in my hotel room, taking a break from a conference and taking time for myself. In fact, I’ve done a lot of that this week. I am currently recovering from a car accident, so sitting in lectures didn’t sound fun all day. I went to a few, and skipped the rest and did a spa day. It isn’t school after all!
I packed all my self-care items – heat pad, books, face mask, etc. I’m taking this time to sleep in if I want, leave the conference and go back to my room for a few hours, curl up in bed with a glass of wine and watch a movie, whatever I want. I intend to be relaxed when I get back home. So self care is a must!
Check out my post Bring on the Self-Care! for ideas on what to pack in your suitcase.
LESSON SIX: MAKE CONNECTIONS PRIOR TO THE EVENT & MIX THAT INTO NEW CONNECTIONS
I lucked out by taking a friend with me for the Cathy Heller event, and also by reading Cathy’s book in a comfy chair at the hotel prior to the event, I met a great new friend that I still stay in touch with. That made for a couple friendly faces before walking into the first session.
For the Vegas and Palm Springs conferences, I knew nobody. But I joined the facebook groups and downloaded the the apps associated with these events and through that ended up connecting with a few people at each that I ended up spending a lot of great time with during the conference. My friend Bev joined me for part of my trip (and wasn’t attending the conferences), and my friends Tom & Mari happened to be in Vegas at the same time, so we made a group of those I already knew, and some new friends from the conference and had dinner and some dancing (sorry, no photos other than the dinner shot above). On another night, I met up with a neighbor Marla and some of her coworkers that were there for another conference. Be flexible, and have fun!
Shout out to two different podcasts I think you will enjoy. Met the podcasters and they are talented, entertaining, and great people:
- Jeff from “Jeff Does Vegas Podcast” which my Vegas-loving readers absolutely need to download and check out. He was a blast to spend time with during that trip and of course, had new ideas for me on what to do in Vegas. Forever grateful to him! Take a listen and learn something new (or historical) about Las Vegas. https://jeffdoesvegas.com
- Phanite, Juv, and Rob (and HLS that wasn’t at the conference) from “The My Five Cents Podcast” – These guys are really doing something special. They bring on someone with a level of expertise in a topic, then each of the guys put together their Top 5 lists, debate it amongst themselves and with the guest, and then the guest decides who “wins” the debate with the best list. This just might be my new favorite podcast. It is comical, smart, and will have you wishing you could hang out on the town with these guys. Spoiler alert: I was that lucky person to hit up Vegas with them and now call them friends. Amazing people. https://themyfivecentspodcast.podbean.com
In Palm Springs, I had a friend with me for non-conference events for a couple days, and I put out onto the group FB page that if anyone wanted to join us for dinner, a hike, or the lantern festival, they were welcome to come along. It was an easy, low pressure way to add in some familiar faces once we started at the conference. I think my super power is connecting groups of people together that might not otherwise meet. Makes for some amazing conversations and new friendships. That reminds me, I’ve got to get back to having my game nights….who’s in?
LESSON SEVEN: BE INCLUSIVE, NOT EXCLUSIVE
Don’t cling to the one person you know that you came with, or bring a clinger yourself.
I think one reason why my friend and I that went to the Cathy Heller conference had a good time, was that we didn’t just talk only to each other.
Make sure you are friendly with other people, be inclusive and draw people into your conversations and look for the person in the corner uncomfortable looking at their phone (that was me at the Palm Springs Conference lol).
DON’T put your purse on the seat next you and hope nobody sits there.
If you just wanted to be with your friend (or alone), then you could have watched something online at home.
Be friendly, at least part of the time.
LESSON EIGHT: RESEARCH FOOD OPTIONS
There is nothing worse to a foodie girl like me, then to stand in a crazy long line at a tiny hotel cafe/coffee stand for the only food within a mile, during your one 45min-1hr lunch break.
Screw that!
Some conventions include food, but many don’t.
So think ahead, see what options are available in the surrounding area (if any) and take into account how much time you will have to get there, order, eat and get back in time for a bathroom visit.
One brilliant idea is to order from UberEats, GrubHub, or DoorDash in time for your lunch to arrive at the convention center or hotel where you are at right as the break starts.
Now finding a spot to sit and eat that meal might be a whole other problem…
LESSON NINE: DECIDE IF STAYING AT THE CONFERENCE LOCATION IS WORTH IT
I’ve done both, stayed right at the hotel the convention is at, and stayed a few miles away. It all comes down to preference, and for me, it depends on the city.
Los Angeles – is a bit of a mess to get around and it takes TIME. Lots of it, whether you are driving or ride-sharing, its going to take much longer than you anticipate. So, I tried to stay in the same hotel the conference was at – which, since this was in 2 different locations from day 1 to day 2, I hotel hopped. I didn’t want to be late getting to the conference, and the locations were a good 30 min away from each other. Not ideal any way you plan it.
In Las Vegas, I stayed in the same hotel (The Westgate Hotel) that the conference was at. Transportation is easy in Vegas, with tons of options, but I wanted the option to hop up to my room and skip sessions (which I did. generously). But, it only had one cafe and a coffee shop for lunch. Both spots were packed with long waits. I thought, erroneously, that we were in Vegas so the food delivery options had to be amazing, but mostly were typical fast food chains. Since The Westgate isn’t along the very walkable Las Vegas Strip, it would take too long to take the monorail and get back. Disappointing for meals, but that could be due to staffing the last several years. Quite possibly, in another year or two, more of their dinner restaurants will have lunch options as well.
In Palm Springs, I chose to stay about a mile away from the hotel that the conference was at, and that was because I have a timeshare there and it was a super cheap option. I also find driving and parking around Palm Springs easy, and wanted a car for exploring in the evenings and days surrounding the convention.
LESSON TEN: PLAN YOUR ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE CAREFULLY
This is important.
Many conferences advertise 4 days. So I end up flying out at least the day before, and leave the day after, only to find out that day 1 starts at 3pm with a check in, and some boring event at 7pm that night.
That’s it.
So if I had known that going in, I might have considering showing up that day and saving the money since I didn’t “miss out” on anything.
If money isn’t a consideration, then arriving early is amazing to orient yourself to the city and explore.
All a matter of what you want to get out of the trip.
I extended my Palm Springs trip so I could have some sun, relaxation, and time to explore as well. Looking for Palm Springs day trips? Check out my posts here:
The Salton Sea & Salvation Mountain
Galleta Meadows Sculptures: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
In Vegas? Then take a day trip to Death Valley or extend your trip to enjoy it more fully – look no further than my three posts on Death Valley National Park, links below:
A Perfect Weekend in Death Valley National Park
Best Restaurants Near Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park- What I wish I’d known before I went
or a quick drive to see this art in the desert:
This is by no means meant to be a comprehensive list, or firm rules. We all experience these events in different ways, and I’d love to hear from you on what lessons you have learned in attending conferences, what funny experiences you’ve had and what you would add!
Most importantly a HUGE Thank You to all the people I’ve met on this journey, THIS is why I travel. The beautiful souls I get to have moments with along the way.
