Making the Most of Science Conferences

I attended eight conferences this year — my most in one year. These are my five takeaways for optimizing conference success. 1️⃣ Riches in niches. The more hyper-focused, the better. Niche conversations are substantive, the connections are better-qualified, and the network is already interwoven. It's easier to follow a path from person to person ... "You need to meet...!" 2️⃣ Speak on stage. This is the most efficient way to find the hand raisers. Not sure how to get on stage? If you’re not sponsoring, simply email your pitch to the conference organizers. Follow up. Sell yourself. 3️⃣ Target. Reach out to relevant speakers with value; why should they meet you? Contact info is easy to find; if they’re a speaker, there’s a good chance they have a personal website. Even the biggest names enjoy the flattery of targeted pre-outreach. If you’ve demonstrated the time to write a personal note, they’re a more likely yes. 4️⃣ Touch and go. The goal is to make a personal intro, create initial value, and set a reason to follow up. Go deeper later. 5️⃣ Follow up. It’s easy (and lazy) to “get to it later.” Follow up with everyone same day. My approach: I give anyone I want to follow up with my phone to type in their email address. I send an email on the spot with the subject line, “Following up.” Later that night, I’ll go through my sent mail and write my follow ups as replies: Set a next meeting, send information, or just say that I enjoyed our conversation. Have any tips to add? Drop them below. 2024 conferences ImpactEleven VidCon VidSummit CreatorFest LIVE Lou Mongello Momentum Mastermind Archangel Summit Cornell University Trustee-Council Annual Meeting FinCon

#Networking at #Conferences: My Lessons Learned 👇 After sharing some thoughts on hackathons recently, many of you asked about networking tips. As someone who's attended numerous conferences with my team, that's what I have to share: 1. #Prepare well in advance. Define your goals and your key messages for different audiences. This preparation sets the foundation for effective networking. 2. Be #flexible. While it's important to plan, be open to unexpected opportunities. There are often numerous side events, and your initial choices might change. E.g., an interesting person might say, "Hey, let's head to Tony's party!" And wow, you suddenly find yourself whisked away to an event you never planned for – these spontaneous moments can lead to the most valuable connections! 3. Set specific #goals before the conference. It helps focus your efforts (e.g. aim to connect with five potential partners or learn about three new industry trends). 4. Create a '#connection_card' game. Before the conference, make a list of 5-10 types of people you want to meet (Someone who's launched a successful app, A person who's worked in 3 different countries, etc.). Try to complete your card during the event. It's a fun way to diversify your networking and can lead to unexpected connections. 5. Keep your #intro brief and interesting. Aim for a few sentences that spark curiosity. Think of it as a conversation starter, not a sales pitch. 6. Don't just chase high-profile #contacts. Early-stage employees often have more time and practical insights to offer. 7. Have a short #video_demo of your product (ready to share quickly when needed). A 60-second demo can be more impactful than a lengthy explanation and easier to share on the spot. 8. Use the '#Sherlock_Holmes' approach. Before approaching someone, take a moment to observe. Do they have a unique accessory? Are they reading something interesting? Use these details as conversation starters. For example, "I couldn't help but notice your Raspberry Pi pin. Are you working on any cool IoT projects?" 9. Make your #contact info easily shareable: - A QR code as your phone background works well. It's a quick and modern way to exchange details without fumbling for business cards. 10. Take #photos with new connections to help remember conversations. It's a great way to jog your memory when following up and can help solidify the connection. 11. #Follow_up a few days after the conference, not immediately when everyone else is. Your message is more likely to stand out and be remembered if you wait a bit. These approaches have helped me build genuine connections rather than just collecting business cards. What strategies work well for you? I'm always looking to learn more. 🖇 PS: See you soon, Singapore! #Networking #conferences

We rarely talk about how graduate students are supposed to magically know how to network their way into jobs! Here's the reality: 🎓 What advisors say: "Just network at conferences and you'll find opportunities." 🎓 What actually happens: You stand awkwardly by the coffee table, exchange greetings with people who forget you immediately, and wonder why nothing leads to job offers. The problem? We treat networking like it's optional relationship-building when it's actually a core job search strategy that no one teaches properly. The brutal truth about academic job hunting: • Most exciting positions, say at startups, and hiring searches often start in informal conversations • Your CV gets you noticed, but relationships get you referrals Yet somehow we expect grad students to figure this out through trial and error. Here's how to actually network for jobs: Before the conversation: Research who you're talking to. Know their recent work, their company's challenges, their career path. Five minutes of homework beats an hour of generic small talk. During the conversation: Skip "I am …" Try: "What are you working on" or "What trends are you seeing in [their field]?" Follow-up that matters: Within 24 hours, send something useful: a paper they mentioned wanting to read, a connection to someone solving similar problems, or a thoughtful observation from your conversation. The informational interview strategy: Don't ask for jobs. Ask for insights. "I'm exploring careers in [field]. Could I ask you about your experience?" Then listen for pain points you could solve. Turn conversations into opportunities: When someone mentions a challenge, respond with: "That's fascinating. I've been working on something related. Would it be helpful if I shared what I've learned?" The follow-up sequence that got me results: Update on something you discussed Share relevant opportunity or insight Check in with genuine question about their work Don’t make it up! Have genuine reason to email and be excited to do the science! What actually leads to job offers: • Solving problems, look at code, suggest changes etc. • Being the person others think of when opportunities arise • Demonstrating expertise through helpful conversations and open source tools etc, not just credentials The mindset shift: Stop thinking "How can I get a job from this person?" Start thinking "How can I be genuinely helpful and do good science?" Here's what changes everything: Treat every conversation as market research. You're learning about problems that need solving, skills that are valued, and opportunities that might exist. My PhD taught me to identify problems and develop solutions. Networking was just applying those same skills to career conversations. Most grad students network when they're desperate for jobs. Smart ones network when they're still two years out. The best time to build relationships? Before you need them.

Forget the free food and swag. The real conference ROI? Stronger relationships. Here's how you do it: Was advising a founder headed to her first conference as an entrepreneur rather than just for fun / to hang out. These events can be intimidating and expensive so you want to make the most of your time and energy. Here's a recap of what we discussed: ◾ Know your goal. You are there to advance your business through relationships and new insights / information. Manage your energy, get enough sleep, don't eat too much of the free food if its junk. ◾ Chat everyone up. Your job is to build relationships with new friends and potential collaborators / customers. If you see people you know, great but don't spend all your time with them—use them to meet other folks "Can I join your group at lunch?" ◾ Small talk matters. Start w/ simple questions like "Is this your first time at XYZ Con?" "When did you get in / where did you come in from?" "What are you most hoping to get out of this event?" And be prepared to answer all those q's for yourself! ◾ Be choosy about the talks. Pick a few of the events you really think will be worth your time and ask a public question during the Q&A. It can make an impression for the speakers and also the audience (people will remember you and maybe start up a convo with you later) ◾ Be ready to connect. Have a QR code or link ready to your company / socials / mailing list. You'll completely forget to do this later and seconds matter b/c people get distracted / bored. ◾ Follow up with people. Do it right away so you don't forget who they were—email or social media DM. Remind them of how you met and share a memory or insight or piece of media that can help cement your relationship. Try to set up a call or at least be friendly on social in the DMs or in comments. ◾ All you need is a few good ones. It can feel overwhelming but if you can walk away from a conference with even just 2 strong relationships (which might happen slowly over time) for a conference to be a great investment. These days I don't attend as many conferences unless I'm speaking but early in my career these events helped me connect and deepen relationships with a lot of amazing people. What are your favorite tips when it comes to a conference?

Friday ponderings…conference attendance tactics As I head to Anaheim, California next week to attend the International Test Conference I wanted to write down my best-known methods to make the most of a technical conference without burning yourself out.  These events can be so stimulating that you become exhausted, so it is important to plan and pace yourself. While the fear of missing out may prod you to attend as much as possible I recommend using the buddy system to maximize coverage of the live presentations. The published proceedings supply all the papers, but the live presentations enable asking questions. 1.   Review the program agenda to select sessions and/or specific presentations to attend. Don’t overlook poster sessions- a super way to have direct conversations. 2.   Consult with your buddy to determine coverage when there are conflicting sessions. ITC typically has 4-5 concurrent sessions. 3.   Make arrangements to meet other attendees. For me ITC provides the venue for me to see my technical tribe- semiconductor test folks. 4.   Expand your network- i.e., meet people outside your company. Yes, they work at a competing company; however, they work on the same technical and business/organizational challenges. In other words, they feel your pain. a.    Is there a presenter that you would like to chat with? Send them a LinkedIn message ahead of time expressing your interest and suggest meeting during one of the beverage breaks, etc. b.   Did you hear someone ask a really good question? Then you should get to know that person. Go up to them afterwards and start off with “You asked a really good question. What do you think about …? 5.   Plan some down time- i.e., no inputs from presentations or others. This advice is for everyone and if you are an introvert, it is crucial that you do so. a.    Take a walk outside b.   Find a quiet place to be still c.    Head to the gym d.   Head to the pool if your lodging offers it* 6.   Take notes while you listen. Preferably handwritten as cognitive science has shown you retain more. a.    Most conferences provide you with the papers and sometimes the presentations are made available. b.   Please do NOT take photos of slides during a presentation. It’s distracting. You can ask for a specific illustration from the presenter. The presentation has gone through legal review so there shouldn’t be an issue sharing. To my contacts who are veterans of technical conference attendance what would you add to the above list. *I always pack a bathing suit; you never know when a water wading opportunity will present itself to you. If you like what I post then go to my profile and click on the 🔔 in the upper right corner. Are you ready to travel the technical trail? Then scroll to comments to learn more. #engineeringlife #TravelingTheTechnicalTrail #itctestweek

The top three pitfalls of conferences: ❌ Missing out on networking; spending all of your time with coworkers ❌ Taking notes that aren’t shared or applied afterwards ❌ Not being strategic with your time Getting value out of a conference is on my mind as I just got back from one on personal and professional growth, and I’m heading to New Orleans to deliver a workshop on Storytelling to Build Brands this week. To get value from conferences, try this: ✅ 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆: Pick sessions that directly align with your goals and can make an impact on your work or career. ✅ 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲: Prepare an elevator pitch. Attend social events. Sit with new people. Initiate conversations. Ask questions. Listen. Show genuine interest. ✅ 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: For each takeaway, think about how it can be applied. Make a list of action items for you or your team to implement right away. ✅ 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻: After the conference, review your notes. Organize them into actionable steps and set deadlines. “We/I will pilot [idea X] starting [date Y] and evaluate after [Z weeks/months].” ✅ 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: Share insights with your team or network. Create a short presentation or send a recap email to spread the value. The real value of a conference comes from what you do with the information afterward. Make every insight count and turn it into action that moves you or your team forward. What’s your top tip for maximizing conference value? Share below! #ProfessionalGrowth #ConferenceTips #Networking #GMAC2024

Maximize Your Impact at Industry Conferences. After attending several conferences this year, I’ve picked up some tried-and-true strategies to make the most out of these opportunities. Here are a few essentials to keep in mind as you prepare: ⌚ 1) Perfect Your 10-Second Introduction You’ll have about 10 seconds to make an impression when introducing yourself. Make it clear, compelling, and practice it beforehand. 🗣 2) Use First Names During introductions, use the person’s first name—it’s a simple way to show you’re genuinely engaged and not just moving on to the next person. 🔦 3) Pre-Plan 40% of Your Time Maximize your connections by doing some homework. Review the speaker list, identify attendees, and reach out to arrange specific times to meet. Having a plan keeps you focused and opens doors to key conversations. 🔨 4) Nail Down Your Differentiators (in 30 Seconds) If you’re representing a service or product, be ready to clearly state what sets you apart within the first 30 seconds. The clearer your value, the stronger your connection. 🚕 5) Stay Open for Opportunities Everywhere Networking doesn’t end in the conference hall. Elevators, social gatherings, and even the taxi line often lead to friendly, memorable introductions. Some of the best connections happen in the unplanned moments. Ready to make the most of your next conference?

I’m glad we are doing conferences again. It’s been a reminder of just how necessary personal conversations and face-to-face engagements truly are. While virtual meetings have their place, there’s something irreplaceable about being in the same room with others, exchanging ideas and building relationships in real time. Conferences aren’t always convenient—they can disrupt our routines, take us away from our daily responsibilities, and demand time we often don’t feel we have. But that’s exactly why they’re important. It’s in those unstructured moments where real value is created. I’ve found that the conversations over coffee, the shared laughs, and even the spontaneous brainstorms offer a unique chance to connect in ways that just aren’t possible in our day-to-day grind. When we gather in person, we’re not just exchanging contact information—we’re exchanging ideas, sharing our challenges, and exploring solutions together in real time. The opportunity to collaborate, to iterate on ideas as they’re being formed, and to genuinely connect with others in our field is invaluable. It’s these relationships that carry us forward, providing support and insight long after the conference ends. Here are five ways I maximize my conference experience: 1. Set clear intentions: Before the conference, I outline what I want to learn and who I want to connect with, ensuring I’m focused and intentional. 2. Be present: It’s easy to get distracted, but I make it a point to engage fully in sessions and conversations, giving my attention to the moment. 3. Seek out meaningful conversations: I prioritize deep, quality discussions over quantity, focusing on building relationships rather than just networking. 4. Take notes and follow up: I capture key takeaways and make it a priority to follow up with new contacts after the event to keep the momentum going. 5. Embrace spontaneity: Some of the best connections and ideas come from unplanned encounters, so I leave room in my schedule for those unexpected moments. By approaching conferences with purpose and an open mind, I consistently walk away with new insights, stronger relationships, and a renewed sense of direction. Next week, Netsmart has its conference, and I’m really looking forward to this time as we all come together in pursuit of shaping the healthcare ecosystem for the greater good. #CONN24 reflects our commitment to connections—leveraging our network as we work together to make a difference. It’s not just about being connected; it’s about using those connections to create positive change, 24/7, for everyone. This is what drives us and keeps us focused on the bigger picture. Looking forward to seeing many of you next week.

I've learned how to approach conferences the hard way in terms of 👉 Where I spend most of my time 👉 How to start meaningful conversations 👉 What it takes to drive a high ROI 👉 How to stay high-energy without the crash There was a lot of "guess and check" in the beginning... But now me and the team have our entire conference playbook built out to a "T" Here are a few things we do at Sequel to get the most out of our conference presence: 1️⃣ Skip the booth: This might be a controversial statement but nowadays, we don't get a booth and sometimes don't even get tickets to conferences. When booths cost $50k+ it's hard to justify the cost when the conference floor is getting slower year by year & you can get a better ROI from side activations. 2️⃣ Schedule live interviews: Ahead of every conference we reach out to our target audience to invite them to appear on our Game Changers IRL series consisting of a simple 5 minute interview. This works wonders in 2 ways: - Kicking off low-lift conversations with potential customers & partners - Creating valuable content for our community. 3️⃣ Divide and conquer: September is packed with conferences & parties with many overlapping. This is where it's important to divide and conquer to have as big of a brand presence as possible. Start by creating a list of all the parties & conferences and narrow them down by audience fit and team availability. Props to the people taking on overlapping conferences! (I'm looking at you Oana Manolache 😉 ) 4️⃣ Host targeted activations: It can be difficult to find "your people" when there are so many personas represented at conferences. We see the biggest ROI from our smaller activations where we surround ourselves with our target audience. 💜 Put yourself in a space where you can actually build relationships with them whether that be hosting, sponsoring, or attending other events. 5️⃣ Leverage strong partnerships: This goes hand-in-hand with the point above. To reach a larger segment of our target audience, we invest in strong partnerships. We don't just partner with anyone even if they say it's a "perfect match". The higher quality the partnership, the higher quality the experience and contacts are. 6️⃣ Follow up quickly: Every experienced GTM professional knows that the follow-up is the most important piece of the puzzle. But many people don't allocate enough time for them during & after the event. (been there done that) 😬 My advice would be to follow-up with people right after you meet them and block off 1 day after the conference for follow-ups. If you don't think an immediate follow-up is possible, go check our Mobly – I promise it's possible. What other new approaches are you taking to conferences this year? 💜 The best one will get a spot in next week's Game Changers newsletter! 📸 Throwback to my 1st conference: Forrester '23 (yes, we had a booth) #conferenceseason #dreamforce #GTM #events #partnerships #content