So, the Singing Pen is returned from my trip to the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine annual meeting in New Orleans last week.
This particular STFM meeting felt very different to me than the others I've attended in the past, and I have to credit Twitter. The social media "tweeps" there live-tweeted a lot of the conference, which as a relative newbie on Twitter I had never experienced before.
It was just incredibly cool! By following the #STFM hashtag, I picked up all kinds of great ideas from sessions I didn't even attend. I also got a kick out of contributing live tweets from the sessions I was attending; in one session, someone tweeted me a question in response. I approached the presenter at the end of the session to find out the answer for him.
After introducing myself, I stated that I had been live-tweeting her session and that someone had tweeted me a question to ask. The presenter very kindly provided an answer (which I tweeted back out) and then said, "that's a new one for me!" She had never been asked a question about her presentation by someone not physically in the audience before.
Now, lest you cry out in horror "how did you ever pay attention and tweet at the same time?," let me reassure you. Tweeting during the sessions was basically like taking notes, except that I was sending out my notes, real time, to people not at the session (and even not at the conference). I can access everything I typed out easily, and so I have a record of all of the ideas - and my responses to them - from every session I attended. Plus I have the ideas - and responses - of every other session live-tweeted there by others.
Conferences will never be the same for me again. When I was responsible for sharing the content I was hearing about, I became much more mentally engaged with the presentations I was attending. The constant Twitter hum of dialogue about goings-on made me feel much more connected to the conference as a whole.
And, last but far from least, this introvert also crept out of her shell and met some of the folks I follow on Twitter who were there. They are an amazing, thoughtful, and fun group that I am now privileged to know both in person and in the Twitterverse.
Looking for a way to get more plugged into your next conference? Tweet away!
(For a great wrap-up of the STFM Annual Meeting, check out Dr. Mike Sevilla's Family Medicine Rocks blog: http://www.familymedicinerocks.com/family-medicine-rocks-blog/).
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Making the most out of conferences
Last week, I ranted a bit about the imperfect conditions of most conference settings. Today, I'd like to suggest ways around some of those issues; I'll also throw in some general tips about how to have a great conference experience.
1. Dress for success
Presenting at your conference? Pack a suit or other professional clothing. You want to look like a pro, so be sure to bring along that suit or outfit that makes you feel like a presenting rock star.
For the non-presenting times, typically business casual will do. Conferences are networking opportunities, and I wouldn't want to meet a potential future employer or colleague while looking super-casual. Remember, first impressions are powerful!
In addition, indoor conference sites are usually super-air-conditioned, so be sure to dress in layers, especially if your conference venue is in a warm place.
2. Ask for a low floor
When reserving your hotel room, ask for a low floor. In my experience, you will typically get the floor or two right above the conference center, which will make moving back and forth between conference and your room an elevator-less experience. In a bigger hotel, you may still need the elevator, but you'll be the first off and the last on, leading to a much shorter ride.
3. Get creative with space
Empty/unused conference rooms make great, quiet workspaces. If there's nothing going on in the evening or early morning in the smaller conference rooms, I will sometimes hunker down in one and get a little work done.
4. Bring your business cards - and keep 'em on you at all times. Make sure that they have your e-mail, Twitter name, Facebook page, Linked In profile, and/or whatever else you want on them.
5. Pack with organization
Packing cubes, collapsible shelves - there are all kinds of nifty packing systems out there that help to keep your things organized and relatively unwrinkled.
6. Plan each day the night before
Which sessions will you attend? If you're presenting, when will you head over to set up? When might be a good time to take a break (and you'll probably need one at some point)? Tap into your experienced colleagues, too, about which presenters are a "don't miss."
7. Don't ask, don't get
I learned this phrase at the conference I was just at, and it will stick with me. Don't be afraid to ask for free internet or fitness center access - if you ask nicely, you may be surprised how often you will get it! One of the attendees that I met last week asked for free internet at this hotel, was initially told "no," asked again nicely, and then they capitulated.
Please feel free to comment on your own experiences, and happy conference-ing!
1. Dress for success
Presenting at your conference? Pack a suit or other professional clothing. You want to look like a pro, so be sure to bring along that suit or outfit that makes you feel like a presenting rock star.
For the non-presenting times, typically business casual will do. Conferences are networking opportunities, and I wouldn't want to meet a potential future employer or colleague while looking super-casual. Remember, first impressions are powerful!
In addition, indoor conference sites are usually super-air-conditioned, so be sure to dress in layers, especially if your conference venue is in a warm place.
2. Ask for a low floor
When reserving your hotel room, ask for a low floor. In my experience, you will typically get the floor or two right above the conference center, which will make moving back and forth between conference and your room an elevator-less experience. In a bigger hotel, you may still need the elevator, but you'll be the first off and the last on, leading to a much shorter ride.
3. Get creative with space
Empty/unused conference rooms make great, quiet workspaces. If there's nothing going on in the evening or early morning in the smaller conference rooms, I will sometimes hunker down in one and get a little work done.
4. Bring your business cards - and keep 'em on you at all times. Make sure that they have your e-mail, Twitter name, Facebook page, Linked In profile, and/or whatever else you want on them.
5. Pack with organization
Packing cubes, collapsible shelves - there are all kinds of nifty packing systems out there that help to keep your things organized and relatively unwrinkled.
6. Plan each day the night before
Which sessions will you attend? If you're presenting, when will you head over to set up? When might be a good time to take a break (and you'll probably need one at some point)? Tap into your experienced colleagues, too, about which presenters are a "don't miss."
7. Don't ask, don't get
I learned this phrase at the conference I was just at, and it will stick with me. Don't be afraid to ask for free internet or fitness center access - if you ask nicely, you may be surprised how often you will get it! One of the attendees that I met last week asked for free internet at this hotel, was initially told "no," asked again nicely, and then they capitulated.
Please feel free to comment on your own experiences, and happy conference-ing!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)