How to Survive a Conference

grand hotel excelsior ballroom I can't even begin to describe how nervous I was during the weeks leading up to a large business conference I was planning to attend. I would be flying (which I find anxiety provoking by itself) to several European destinations to meet over 400 associates whom I had never met before. When I spoke to other conference attendees about how I felt, I found out that many other people felt the same way. Business conferences can be very stressful, so I decided to share my thoughts and experiences about surviving them was in order.

Preparing for the Conference.

When I first heard about the conference I was very excited. I thought about what a great opportunity it would be to meet my colleagues and how lucky I was to be involved. Since we work remotely, most of us had never met before. I booked my flight to Paris, where the conference would be held, a couple of months in advance. From that moment on, I began to get this feeling of "Uh oh! What did I get myself into?" Using hindsight, I can now tell you what I should have done to alleviate this feeling.

Shyness has been an issue for me for as long as I can remember. Fortunately, I have never let it get in my way and I have managed to overcome it for the most part. If asked for my opinion I don't hesitate to give it. However, if I'm not asked for my opinion, I generally keep quiet. Even though my colleagues and I have a couple of places we can interact with one another, such as regular chats and message boards, I don't regularly contribute to either.

Big mistake! Had I taken part in chats or posted more to the message boards, I would have felt more involved rather than like someone on the outside looking in. If shyness is a problem for you, I think you'll be able to relate to this feeling. So here is my advice to you. Get to know as many people as possible before you attend a business conference. You won't walk into it feeling like you are jumping head-first into a sea of strangers. If you are attending the national meeting of a professional organization, try to attend local chapter meetings. If you are representing your company at a trade show, perhaps you can contact colleagues who will be attending as well. Arrange to get together for a meal or coffee during the conference. This will also allow you to view the conference attendees as individuals, rather than as a crowd of people.

Looking Your Best.

The better I think I look, the better I feel about myself. If my hair looks good, and if I'm dressed well, my self confidence is up. About a week before the conference I made sure my hair looked good by getting a haircut and colour. That gave me about a week to get used to it. The day before I left for the conference I got a manicure. I had to have my hands look good for all the meetings and greetings.

You should find out what attire is appropriate. In most cases business casual is a good idea. Anything more or less might make you look (and feel) out of place. However, if you're making a presentation, or manning a booth, something more formal may be called for. Bring clothes that travel well. Anything that creases easily probably isn't a good idea. Make sure your clothes are comfortable -- that beautiful wool sweater may look great with your black trousers, but all that scratching may bring you funny looks.

Comfortable shoes are a must. Don't wear brand new shoes, no matter how good they felt in the store. Nobody else will know that your toes are being pinched, but it may detract from your ability to concentrate. Don't wear worn out shoes either. People do in fact notice this small detail.

Getting to Know You.

I'm the first person to tell you how important it is to network. I'm also the first person to tell you how difficult it is for me to do so. When I walked into the opening event of the conference, a huge "getting to know you" cocktail party, I was taken aback by the sheer number of people there. It was almost tempting to turn around and walk out, but of course I didn't. It was also tempting to find my little bit of floor space and hope that someone would walk over to me and start a conversation. But, that would have left me feeling too vulnerable. So I did what I needed to do. I walked into the room almost as far as I could go, and approached a group of friendly faces. I introduced myself, hoping I wouldn't stumble over my own name. I didn't. It turns out that almost everyone I spoke to was as overwhelmed as I was. Which brings me to an important point. Keep in mind that if you are nervous about meeting a huge number of people, you are not alone in feeling this way. Perhaps misery loves company, but hearing that others were experiencing anxiety helped ease mine.

Another trick I use is to imagine how someone else would act in the situation I'm in. I think of people I know who would be more comfortable. Of course, it's important to be yourself, but with some of the qualities you admire in another person. Try it -- it really works. Also, psych yourself up beforehand. Think of all the special qualities that make you who you are. If you need help coming up with a list, ask a close friend. Also remember that people love to talk about themselves. When you meet new people ask them about themselves.

Beware of alcohol.

While drinking alcoholic beverages may loosen you up and make interacting with strangers easier, it is wise to keep this to a minimum. You don't want to lose self-awareness, and perhaps say something or do something you don't mean to. While one glass of wine or a beer may help you feel more relaxed, more than that may make you a little too uninhibited.

Coming Away With Something Valuable.

When all is said and done, make sure you take something valuable home from the conference. And, I'm not talking about pens and sticky pads with the corporate logo, although those are fun too. I'm talking about ideas. There's nothing like a good business conference to get the creative juices flowing. Just by talking to people informally you will get some really good ideas. You will learn how your colleagues have solved problems or found better ways to do their jobs. You will also learn a lot from the formal meetings you attend. Carry a notebook to write down what you learn and any ideas you come up with yourself.

Good luck and enjoy all of your next conferences, business meetings and exhibitions.

email: theresa@businessmeetingsmalta.com