Programs and Meetings
• Don’t be overwhelmed by the program guide! Use it to revise your schedule as needed.
• Don’t schedule things too tightly.
• Meetings and programs are held at many different hotels in the city. Use the program map to help locate them and plan your days.
• It’s okay if you arrive late or have to leave early from a program.
• Take advantage of the free shuttles.
• Meet people. Introduce yourself and exchange business cards or contact information.
• Make notes during or just after meetings while the content is still fresh in your mind.
• If you want to get involved, attend committee meetings and introduce yourself to the chairperson.
Exhibit Hall
• Allocate plenty of time for the Exhibits. Don’t try to see them all at once.
• Use the program guide to help select and find exhibitors you want to visit.
• Check your Expocard, make sure it has your correct information.
• Use your Expocard – exhibitors can scan it to send you information later.
• Visit the Exhibits early, especially to enter vendor giveaways.
• Don’t pick up everything. Ask exhibitors to send you information after the conference.
• Use the Post Office in the exhibits hall to send home what you do pick up.
Other Conference Tips
• Bring business cards with you.
• Check Cognotes, the daily conference newspaper, for last-minute additions and changes.
• Wear your badge to meetings and social events, but NOT on the street.
• Attend vendor receptions, talk to people in meetings, on the shuttle buses or at events.
• Avoid listening to your MP3 player or reading when you could be meeting people.
After the Conference
• Keep connections! Follow up with new colleagues and presenters via email, Facebook, or ALA Connect.
• Apply your experiences. Discuss new ideas you learned with your co-workers.
Based on “Tips for a Successful Annual” on the Annual 2009 conference wiki.
Also check out Camila Alire – Making the most of conferences.