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 for administrative professionals, can help you excel in your career via leaps and bounds.
Delani Denton and Ashley Kim, marketing team members at Office Dynamics International, have attended and worked behind the scenes at multiple conferences. Working and attending conferences has given them a unique perspective on how to make the most out of the experience. They’ve gathered their top insights here to help you have the best conference experience possible, ensuring you leave feeling inspired, connected, and ready to take action.
Prepare for Success Before You Arrive
Long conference days require preparation beyond just a notepad and pen. You will be absorbing so much information and will likely end the day exhausted. This is why it’s crucial to be prepared so you can make the most of every moment.
Consider bringing a mini essentials kit with:
- Deodorant and breath mints (for those long networking conversations)
- Snacks like protein bars or jerky sticks to keep your energy up
- Comfortable shoes—trust us, you’ll be on your feet more than you think!
- A refillable water bottle to stay hydrated
The more prepared you are, the less you’ll have to worry about discomfort, allowing you to stay focused on learning and networking. It’s best to pack these essentials before you arrive so you don’t have to worry about scrambling to find what you need. This will put your mind at ease and also save your wallet from in-hotel expenses.
Speaking of expenses, if your company is covering your travel expenses, streamline your expense reporting by charging everything back to your hotel room when possible. That way, you won’t spend half a day when you return submitting an expense report (in addition to already catching up on work). Before you leave, discuss your travel budget with your company to ensure clarity on what is covered. The last thing you want is to be worried about what you are purchasing. Research appropriate expectations for travel costs ahead of time and review them with your manager to put you both at ease.
Conferences require your full attention. The breaks in between sessions are short and are usually packed with networking events. To get the most out of it, you have to be mentally present. Prepare your team ahead of time by letting them know you will be unavailable and handle any necessary work before you leave. Set your out-of-office and block your calendar. Then, when necessary, save any urgent work for before and after events that you can address quickly.
Another thing you will want to do beforehand is to download good note-taking software. Consider AI-powered ones like Otter.ai, which can help you transcribe detailed notes without worrying about missing one important point.
Lastly, if possible, arrive the day before the conference starts. Arriving the day before the conference gives you time to settle in, get a good night’s rest, and mentally prepare for the experience ahead. you will feel less rushed and ready to pay attention and make the most of the day.
"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)."
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 to start forming more professional connections that are crucial for your career and personal growth (more on this below).
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 are presented with the unique opportunity to meet with peers from around the world in your industry. It is the perfect chance to make connections and find mentors that 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 will present specific networking opportunities. Even if you’re tired after a long day, it’s a good idea to take advantage of some of these. Scan through them and pick the ones you find most interesting that also work with your schedule. If you feel overwhelmed with the amount of activities, just pick one or two. Once there, if you find yourself having a great discussion with someone, invite them to lunch or coffee. These more personal interactions can lead to better long-term professional 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 in which 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 of the wealth of information you are absorbing, a conference can be mentally and physically exhausting, so 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 for you to choose from, only pick the ones that are most relevant to you. Go for speakers that you follow and are excited about, as you know that whatever they speak about will offer value.
Once the event is over, take time to go through the contacts you made and reach out. 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,” can keep the relationship alive. In addition, plan a presentation or summary to share with your team and leaders so you can share the knowledge. From that presentation, make an action plan to start applying the relevant information so that you can put the valuable learnings into practice. The real value of a conference comes from applying what you’ve learned. Review your notes, identify key takeaways, and create an action plan for how to integrate new insights into your work.
"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."
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.
