What is your strategy for getting the most out of conferences or trade shows?

“Best practices for any trade show are simple. First, give your elevator pitch. Second, collect client contact information. Third, follow up. The ROI on a trade show is different for each service and is not necessarily seen the day of the event, so steps two and three are critical to finding out the true value of the show for your business.”- Megan Meyers, The Event Connections, Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio“If there is a name badge that hangs around my neck, I put my business cards in it behind the name tag. That way I never have to go digging in a purse or bag to find one!”- Lynda Barness, MBC™, I Do Wedding Consulting, Philadelphia“First, I take notes right into Evernote on my iPad using an external keyboard, that way my notes are already filed and searchable for future reference…Second, right afterward, I sit down and figure out the top three things I am going to do for my business from what I heard. With so many great ideas, it can be overwhelming, so I try to pick just three (at first). And then do them.”- Bethel L. Nathan, Ceremonies by Bethel, San Diego“We read through the information provided at registration right away and make our ‘attack’ plan for which classes to attend and which vendors we can't wait to meet. We get familiar with our surroundings…and bring plenty of business cards to exchange as we network at the functions. We come with a great attitude to learn, say hello to old friends and meet new ones.”- JoAnn Moore, CWC, MBC™, CGWP, CSS, and Mindy McNitt, Mountains and Meadows, LLC, Vail, Colo."When attending conferences, I always like to have set goals that I can measure, and I tend to focus on relationships I want to foster. I create a list of people that I'd like to connect with—whether it be speakers or attendees. I also make use of ‘off time’ by setting up appointments with clients, prospects, and colleagues."- Meghan Ely, OFD Consulting, Richmond, Va.“I am sure everyone sets goals before they attend a trade show or conference, but the hard part is taking goals to the next level—implementation. Somewhere, I read anything you do not put into effect within two weeks after the event will not get done, and my personal experience often proves that to be true. On the exit polls from our own annual meeting of gown care specialists, I ask for the most useful thing learned and sometimes offer to send a reminder six weeks later. Perhaps I should send myself the same reminder!”- Sally Lorensen Conant, PhD., MWV™, Association of Wedding Gown Specialists, Orange, Conn.“Before a conference, I peruse who is speaking and their lecture topics to determine what appeals to me. Then I look at their websites and published work to see if their talk will be of benefit to my company. If there are good speakers in the same time slot, I divide and conquer by sending one of my staff to hear one lecture while I go to the other. Conferences can be expensive, so it is important to have a good ROI.”- Merryl Brown, President Merryl Brown Events, MA, CWEP, Montecito, Calif.“It is most important to do my homework prior to getting to the show. I make it a point to read about every presenter and decide what I want to learn from them. I then make a list of questions and a very specific schedule allowing time in between to personally meet the presenter. Inevitably, I can get sidetracked when I unexpectedly meet clients, vendors, or other professionals, or I see something that intrigues me. By having a specific goal, schedule, and list of questions I want answered, the day becomes both productive and a good use of my time.”- Lynne Goldbert, MS Wedding Planner/Boca Entertainment, Boca Raton, Fla.“Attending a conference with a team of other people from my state makes it easier for us to get notes on all the breakout sessions so that we don’t have to miss anything. After the breakouts, we trade notes and discuss what we learned and that helps us remember the education in the future.”- Ginia Lucas, MWV™, Y-Knot Party & Rentals, Mesa, Ariz.“At the end of each conference day, I sit down alone on my hotel bed and make a ‘trash’ or ‘treasure’ pile. What I have collected throughout the day that I feel will truly move my business forward goes into the ‘treasure’ pile. The rest goes straight to the trash or recycle bin. If I can de-clutter before bringing it home, I gain greater focus on what I will immediately implement.”- Stephanie L. Hassan, Table 7 Events, Fullerton, Calif.“My strategy for conferences is, prior to attending, to draw up an outline based on what the conference will be about so I’m organized and can pay more attention to the presentations. I like to take my iPad so the note taking is more fun than using a notebook and paper. Also, any tablet is a great tool to have if you want to look up a link or pictures online simultaneously to enhance your note taking and comprehension of the discussed topics.”- Christine Young, CWV, Y-Knot Party Rentals, Mesa, Ariz.“I create ‘action checklists’ from the notes I take during the educational sessions. Then, I use the action checklist when I get back to the office to get those things completed.”- Wendy Dahl, PBC™, Chic Productions, Huntington Beach, Calif.“Many people stay glued to the side of one or two of their friends at a conference. I would suggest they split up once in a while, going to different breakouts, sitting at different tables at meals, walking around alone for a bit. That is a great way to meet more people and experience the conference on an entirely different level.”- Jean Picard, MBC™, Jean Picard Wedding Consulting, Ventura, Calif.“When looking at conferences to attend, I review my budget and recommendations from friends in the industry. When attending, I like to walk into events with at least one friend; I make a point to network with others from across the world; I keep an open mind; and I strategically review the education schedule to determine what I really need to work on in the year ahead, both personally and professionally.”- Nicole Zenner, LK Events, Chicago