Attending an educational conference can be a game-changer for your personal and professional growth. Whether you’re headed to the Academy’s Fall Summit in La Jolla, CA, or any other conference, here are some valuable tips to ensure you make the most of your experience.
Tip 1: Prepare in Advance
- Study the Agenda: Take the time to thoroughly review the agenda before you arrive. This will help you decide which sessions align best with your goals and interests, ensuring you don’t feel overwhelmed on-site. If you’re uncertain, reach out to event organizers or coaches for recommendations.
- Team Collaboration: If you’re attending with a team, divide and conquer. Assign specific sessions or topics to each team member to maximize your firm’s overall knowledge and learning experience.
- Go Digital: Many conferences are reducing paper materials, so before your trip, download any relevant materials and log in to the event app if available. This allows easy access to the resources you need.
- Password Check: For hands-on sessions and networking, confirm you have your login credentials for essential systems like email marketing accounts, legal software, and conference-specific platforms. Store these on your phone or laptop for quick access.
- Social Media Preparedness: If you plan to share your conference experience on social media, ensure you have the necessary logins and passwords saved on your devices for real-time posting.
Tip 2: Create Daily Action Plans
- Set Clear Objectives: As conferences can be whirlwinds, define clear objectives for each day. For example, aim to gather at least three new revenue-generating ideas throughout the event, breaking it down to one idea per day.
- Network with Purpose: Strengthen your professional network by identifying three people who excel in an area you want to improve or grow in your practice. Challenge yourself to connect with one new person each day.
- Daily Reflection: Allocate time each day to reflect on the new knowledge and insights you’ve gained. Create a list of actionable to-dos with deadlines that you can start working on while still at the conference.
- Schedule Appointments: Use your calendar to set appointments for addressing larger action items or conducting research related to what you’ve learned.
- Share Insights: Collaborate with your team by jotting down the great ideas you’ve learned in a shared Google Doc that can be accessed back at the office.
- Meet Sponsors: Set aside time to connect with sponsors to explore opportunities to enhance your results or systems.
Tip 3: Enjoy the Experience
- Share on Social Media: Let your clients and influencers know you’re attending to enhance your skills and stay at the forefront of your field. Use event-specific hashtags to engage with the community.
- Expand Your Network: Step out of your comfort zone and introduce yourself to new people. Whether during meals or sessions, try sitting next to someone you haven’t met before to broaden your professional connections.
- Reconnect with Colleagues: Reach out to friends and colleagues before the conference. Arrange to meet for coffee or a meal to catch up. Some of the most valuable conversations happen outside formal sessions.
Tip 4: Follow Through
- Post-Conference Meeting: Schedule a post-conference recap meeting with your team. Use this time to flesh out new ideas, set deadlines, and assign specific action items to team members.
- Reflect Productively: Make sure you have a plan in place for productive reflection. Real transformation doesn’t occur overnight; it’s about applying what you’ve learned over time that truly makes an impact.
Remember, attending a conference is an investment in both time and money. By taking these steps to prepare and engage, your investment will yield substantial returns in the long run. We can’t wait to see you at our upcoming Fall Summit, and if you’re interested in attending an Academy Summit, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@aaepa.com. Enjoy your conference experience!
Erin Mathew
Director, Projects and Events Planning
American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.
9444 Balboa Avenue, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92123
Phone: (858) 453-2128
www.aaepa.com
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