We have briefly mentioned the Conferences Section of the Networking Planner as part of our Networking Event Layouts Round-up. However, we thought we would also share a more in-depth look at the conference pages. Yes these pages take elements of the other Networking Events pages and build upon them. However,  they can be invaluable part of preparing for and making the most of any conferences that you are attending this year. The Lite version (pictured) has space for one all day conference. The Bumper version has space for two all day conferences.

Conference Pages – Preparation for the Conference

We start off with the key information about the conference and the speakers. This helps you become familiar with the speakers in attendance. Sometimes the literature published for conferences can be informative other times you may have to do you own research. So these pages prompt you to do this. This will make you more informed before the event. Additionally, if you have knowledge of the speakers and their chosen topics it can help you have conversations during the networking parts of the conference as well as help inform any questions you may have for the speakers themselves.

Next up is the sponsors and exhibitors. If it is the type of conference that has a lot of exhibitors that are announced before hand. It can be worth checking them out in advance to see what ones might be relevant to you and that you mights specifically want to have a conversation with (or grab free stuff from). Some exhibitors also advertise limited edition freebies or discounts so you might want to get in line before they run our.

Next in the preparation might be checking out the guest list (if there is one) and seeing who else is attending. If there is no formal guest list it might be worth checking out social media to see if there is an event hashtag and what conversations are already being had. This is a further opportunity for networking and arranging meet-ups. For example, you might be travelling to attend the conference and therefore other people might be as well – social media is a great way to find out if anyone is up for a trip to the pub the evening before.

Conference Pages – At the Conference and Follow-up After the Conference

At the conference I normally take notes in a separate notebook, because I am a comprehensive note taker. However, there is space for a few brief notes and learning points. Personally I normally take my notes in a separate notebook and then highlight the key takeaways from the event such as learning points, further research and follow-up actions.

Finally there is a People I met and Follow-up section as there is with the standard networking events. However there is space for more people/contacts in the conference section as we assume that you will be meeting more people over the course of an all-day conference.

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Don’t forget to get your own copy of the Networking Planner.