Attending a professional conference is an investment in your career and personal development. Whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge, grow your network, or gain fresh perspectives, how you approach the experience will make all the difference. Conferences are a gold mine of learning, so finding one unique to your profession, like The Annual Conference for Administrative Excellence, can help you excel in your career.
Delani Denton and Ashley Kim, marketing team members at Office Dynamics International, have attended and worked behind the scenes at multiple conferences. They’ve gathered their top insights here to help you leave feeling inspired, connected, and ready to take action.
Prepare for Success Before You Arrive
Long conference days require more than a notepad and pen. You’ll be absorbing a lot of information—and likely end the day exhausted—so it’s crucial to prepare in advance.
Pack a mini essentials kit with:
- Deodorant and breath mints
- Protein bars or jerky sticks
- Comfortable shoes
- A refillable water bottle
If your company covers travel expenses, simplify your expense reporting by charging incidentals to your hotel room. Discuss your travel budget with your manager ahead of time so you know what’s covered and avoid surprises.
Conferences demand your full attention. Before you leave:
- Notify your team, set an out-of-office message, and block your calendar.
- Handle urgent work in advance, and save noncritical items for before or after the event.
- Download a note-taking app—AI-powered options like Otter.ai can transcribe sessions so you won’t miss key points.
Whenever possible, arrive the day before the conference starts. This gives you time to settle in, rest, and mentally prepare to make the most of every session.
"Regarding networking, don't be afraid to ask the person next to you for clarification if you're not sure what the speaker is explaining or if you missed anything, when time is allotted (this helped me a lot when meeting people at our SEO conference)."
Ashley Kim
Engage with the Content and Speakers
Now that you are at the conference, let’s talk about a few ways to optimize your in-the-moment time. While it’s tempting to write down everything a speaker says, sometimes you absorb information better by simply listening. Take notes on key takeaways, but also allow yourself moments to fully engage in the discussion. Again, a note-taking tool can help you if you need to return to anything you may have missed.
If you miss something, don’t hesitate to ask a fellow attendee during breaks or networking sessions. This not only helps you gain clarity but also opens the door for conversation and connection. They might even be willing to share their notes with you, which is a good time to exchange your business card and LinkedIn information. Not only will this help you take away even more value, but it will also help you start forming professional connections that are crucial for your career and personal growth.
You don’t have to be an expert in every topic covered at the conference—that’s why you’re there! Approach each session with curiosity and a willingness to learn. Being open-minded allows you to absorb new concepts and apply them in innovative ways when you return to work.
The Annual Conference for Administrative Excellence










Maximize Your Networking Opportunities
Networking is one of the biggest advantages of attending a conference. You have the unique opportunity to meet peers from around the world in your industry. It is the perfect chance to make connections and find mentors who could change the trajectory of your life for the better. Make sure you have plenty of business cards ready to exchange with new contacts. If you meet someone you want to continue building a relationship with, follow up after the conference with a personalized email or LinkedIn message. Make this part of your post-conference checklist so you can keep fostering the connections you made.
Need an icebreaker? Don’t be afraid to turn to the person next to you and ask, “What did you think about that last session?” or “How do you see this working in your role?” These small conversations can lead to valuable professional relationships.
Some of the best networking happens outside of the conference room. Many conferences host specific networking events. Even if you’re tired after a long day, take a few minutes to scan the schedule and pick one or two that interest you. If you feel overwhelmed by the number of activities, choose only the ones that fit your goals. Once there, if you find yourself having a great discussion, invite someone to lunch or coffee. These more personal interactions can lead to stronger long-term connections.
Make the Most of the Experience
Attending a conference is like experiencing a concentrated version of professional development. The best minds in your industry come together to share cutting-edge insights and strategies in fields where they are true experts. It’s like a buffet of the top information relevant to you, and you absorb hundreds of golden chicken McNuggets.
Rather than treating it as a one-time learning event, think of it as an opportunity for exponential growth. Take full advantage of the wealth of knowledge available to you.
Because you are absorbing so much information, a conference can be mentally and physically exhausting. Make sure you’re taking care of yourself—get enough sleep, eat well, and pace yourself throughout the day to avoid burnout. If there are multiple sessions to choose from, only attend the ones most relevant to you. Go for speakers you follow and admire, as their talks will offer the most value.
Once the event is over, review the contacts you made and reach out with a simple message like, “It was great meeting you at the conference! I’d love to stay in touch and hear more about your work.” Plan a presentation or summary to share with your team and leaders so they can benefit from what you learned. From that presentation, create an action plan to apply the most relevant insights to your work. The real value of a conference comes from applying what you’ve learned—review your notes, identify key takeaways, and integrate new strategies into your daily routine.
"Understand that one of the main reasons that conferences are so valuable is the exponential growth they can provide you. It's like a grand slam where the best of the best is speaking about a relevant topic they are an expert in. You are getting so many valuable nuggets, so make sure you take advantage of that and soak up the knowledge."
Delani Denton
Join Us at The Conference for Administrative Excellence!
Ready to put these strategies into practice? The Conference for Administrative Excellence is the ultimate opportunity for administrative professionals to gain powerful insights, connect with like-minded professionals, and experience transformational growth.
Don’t miss your chance to elevate your career—register now and take the next step in your professional journey! If you want to learn more about it, you can download our conference brochure to share with your team and leaders.