Taking part in an advanced engineering conference actively can prove to be quite an overwhelming task for any experienced attendee, not just first times and those inexperienced with. It is easy to get sidetracked by the massive conference halls, the excessive number of kiosks, stands, salespeople, activities, as well as the other attendees present at the event. All these elements combined can make the conference quite an exhausting and strenuous experience that makes it tough for you to make the most out of the event by learning what you went there to learn, remember any and everything that would prove to be useful to your work and career, interact, engage and bond with those whom you look up to (peers and field experts), present your findings and research outcomes in the best manner possible, and more.
However, when done right conventions can be fulfilling and worthwhile experiences. This can be achieved simply through careful advanced planning and making wise decisions about the manner in which you choose to approach lecturers and other convention delegates. By understanding and paying heed to the six tips mentioned below, it is quite easy to make certain that you make the most out of any engineering conference, symposium, seminar, or event that you take part in.
1. Gauge and Ascertain Every One Of Your Objectives
- However much money, time and valuable resources you are spending on taking part in an event, it is important that you use your time at the engineering conference that you are taking part in wisely.
- That is why it is crucial that you determine exactly what every one of your short-term and long-term career goals and ambitions are.
- For instance, if you are hoping to achieve results in your academic research work, studies, or scientific experimentation pursuits, then you might want to define your goal as – learning something new.
- This might include –
- gaining fresh knowledge and expertise on the most recent advancements in your field, the latest strategies and approaches being used by others in your domain, or
- acquiring information on the most modern methodologies being adopted by leading experts from your field, to combat the very challenges that you are facing.
- If your intention is to further your career by making powerful contacts and associations with prominent personalities in your domain, then your goals might include –
- deciding upon who exactly to meet,
- when and where you are most likely to find these people at the conference that you are taking part in,
- determining the most appropriate manner of approaching them,
- your strategy for presenting your work in the best light possible,
- post engagement follow up meetings and conversations, etc.
- Clearly establishing your plan and measures for progress will then assist you in charting out your colloquium agenda, including –
- which sessions you will want to hear,
- the stands, stalls, and kiosks that worth your time the most,
- the social gatherings and specialty networking occasions you want to take part in, etc.
2. Interface, But Do So Wisely & Responsibly
- Most professionals, especially in the academic community are aware of the fact that it can take a long time to acquire recognition and a good reputation amongst your peers and superiors.
- It only takes one wrong move, one misplaced conversation/interaction to ruin all your hard work and the good reputation that you have garnered over the years.
- Post-event felicitous times or banquet functions can offer a ton of excellent networking possibilities, but it is crucial to make certain that you are concentrating exclusively on swapping communication details, not indulging in small talk.
- Although you might not be taking part in the convention with any co-workers or associates, your improper conduct can instantly make its move back to your supervisor or companions, making for an uncomfortable appearance to your workplace on your return.
- That is why it is crucial to –
- spend your time interfacing cautiously,
- engage only with people whom you are likely to gain the most from,
- prepare your intro carefully,
- do some digging on topics that are of fascination to the people who you meet with, etc.
3. Appropriate Social Media Into Your Experience
- Most conventions formulate and advertise a hashtag on their websites much before the event actually takes place.
- This makes it possible for those looking to find like-minded peers and make buddies who will also be in attendance at the event to unite with other delegates previous to the event kicking off.
- Share a post on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any other prominent social networking platform, stating that you are attending the conference many days before the day of the event.
- Social media platforms enable delegates who will be taking part in upcoming engineering and technology conferences 2023, to elevate their experience, by
- submitting queries about the time, date, location and schedule-of-events for the conference,
- finding out which speakers, lecturers will be talking at the event,
- determining what opportunities to gain recognition and network will be offered at the event,
- making acquaintances with other people who will also be in attendance, and more.
- Once you’re at the convention, most lecturers and speakers will have included their various social media handles on their exhibition displays, so be certain to connect with them by –
- commenting on their posts and
- offering them feedback on their lecturers/presentations.
- You will be astonished at how many acknowledgments and supporters that you will gain as a result of doing so.
- Likewise, following up with the live discussion during the conference will assist in staying united to the whole crowd, despite the fact that you might not be able to attend the whole convention.
4. Make Probes and Pose Inquiries
- Lecturers and theme presenters often allocate lots of time for question and answer sessions at the conclusion of their presentations.
- Putting your hand up or walking up to the microphone in the presence of a huge house can be daunting, however, if you have an inquiry or an observation that you would prefer to enunciate, be confident and do what’s needed.
- It is most likely that you will not get another chance like that to interact directly with the lecturer in that manner, and post your questions and obtain clarity directly from him/her.
- Having a query or doubt that you might have answered and clarified then and there might not only offer you immense clarity on something that you were perplexed about but also demonstrate to the lecturer/presenter/speaker that you are a genuine person who has an obvious interest and inclination to learning.
- This will help them identify you as someone who means business, meaning, they could approach you, later on –
- to pursue an apprenticeship under them or
- ask you to get involved in some sort of collaborative pursuit, project or venture together.
- a Scopus journal publication opportunity with reputed scientific magazine.
- Make sure to explicitly proclaim your name and the firm that you work for or the institution that you are involved with posing your query, so that those who wish to contact you later on, can do so with ease.
5. Linger Around, Don’t Leave Immediately
- Withstand the need and inclination to get out of the event early, right after its conclusion.
- Although it can be quite alluring to head back to your hotel, take a swim in the luxurious pool, head out for a meal at one of the local restaurants/ a popular tourist attract/destination, it is important that you stay put for at least a while after proceedings conclude.
- This is because, it is highly likely that many of the leading experts, specialists, and presenters are staying back talking to others (including competitors) to resolve any of their doubts and queries.
- You should try and make full use of such opportunities to interact and engage with these people because you might never get another chance to do so.
- Make sure you also meet with peers who you find are –
- like-minded,
- have a lot of knowledge to offer,
- want to pursue collaborative partnerships with and more.
- This should be an integral part of your networking and interfacing strategy at engineering and technology conference 2023 that you plan on taking part in.
6. Do Your Post Event Home Work
- The mistake that most first time conference attendees make is that they fail to follow up on the contacts that they made,
- the associations/partnerships/bonds that they have formed, and
- the knowledge that they have learned.
- In order to make your conference experience a truly fulfilling one, it is crucial to keep in mind, that your experience doesn’t end at the conclusion of the vent.
- It is vital to carry out some post-conference follow up strategies, in order to seal your entire conference experience.
- These steps might involve –
- connecting with peers and other like-minded people whom you may have come across at the event,
- approaching the lecturers, speakers, and presenters on social media,
- rehashing the important data and knowledge that you acquired at the event,
- communicating with those whom you formed associations and partnerships with,
- acquiring feedback on your research work and presentations, and
- send out emails to all those whom you connected with, in order to pursue collaborative partnerships, to name a few.
All the tips and tricks listed above, are just a few of the suggestions that you should keep in mind to make the best out of every engineering conference, convention, symposium, seminar, lecture and any other event that you might want to take part in. Another useful suggestion is to interact with veteran conference attendees who will offer you many more crucial tips, that they would have acquired through their years of conference attending experience, to make the most out of every event.