InFluential_Magazine_March_April_2017

IN FLUENCE
Public Relations
A CONFERENCE SURVIVAL
GUIDE FOR
BUSY
PROFESSIONALS
A
lthough conferences
are intimidating, it’s
easy to have a positive
attitude about them if you take care
of business and take care of yourself.
While planning, scheduling and
communicating are essential to a
successful conference experience,
we tend to forget about the human
needs that have an important impact
on professional success. This can be a
tough balance, but the following tips
will lead to a conference experience
you’ll want to write home about.
Establish Goals
Add some space in your conference
timeline by planning out your goals
beforehand. Think about why your
organization chose to come to
the conference. Are you looking to
partner with other companies? Are
you scoping out your organization’s
competition? Are you further
developing your employees’ skills?
Conferences offer opportunities that
go far beyond finding out about new
products and reconnecting with
old associates. Establish your goals,
and remember them with every
interaction you make.
WHILE CONFERENCES CAN BE GREAT
FOR YOUR COMPANY AND YOUR
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT,
THEY CAN DO A NUMBER ON YOUR STRESS
LEVELS. BY THE END OF THE WEEK, YOU’VE
MINGLED WITH BUSINESSES, ATTENDED
MEETINGS AND HAPPY HOURS AND WALKED
PAST WHAT SEEMS LIKE A MILLION BOOTHS.
Make the Most of Your
(and the Presenters’) Time
Companies presenting at conferences
look to meet face-to-face with
existing and potential customers and
partners. In an environment where
communication is largely moving online,
conferences are a rare opportunity
to rub shoulders with those you
may otherwise never see. Companies
want to maximize in-person conversations,
so if you approach a booth, be
ready to talk. You may know nothing
about the company, but as you listen
and learn, think about how you can
apply their services to your organization.
If they don’t fill a need, move on.
kWRITTEN BY SAUL HAFENBREDL, PR
MANAGER AT C. BLOHM & ASSOCIATES
After the conference, follow up with
the people you’ve met with. The best
way to maximize your time at a conference
is by transforming your conversations
into results for your company.
Keep Tabs on Meetings
Outside of the Conference
If you’re serious about meeting with
a specific company, try to attend a
meeting outside of the main convention
space. Companies set up meetings
in hotels and coffee shops near most
conferences, so reach out and set up a
time to discuss business outside of the
64 FLUENTIAL
MARCH / APRIL 2017