Top Ten Tips to Get the Most Out of Annual Meeting

SPN’s Annual Meeting is excellent for helping you to make connections, learn new skills, and hone your strategies. Are you prepared to make the most of your investment of time and money? This list will help you to get the most out of your Annual Meeting experience.

1. Scope out the talent. Use the Annual Meeting App to look over the attendee and speaker lists and make your appointments with the people you’d like to connect with sooner rather than later. Add the meetings to your calendar—bonus points for sending them an invite, too. And, don’t forget your business cards!

2. Work the schedule. Don’t let the schedule work you. Did we mention that there are more than 70 sessions to choose from this year? Take time before the meeting and use the Annual Meeting App(or old school it by using our online agenda) to plan out your days. Add the sessions you like to your schedule before you get to Nashville so that you can plan your meetings around your must-attend sessions. ProTip: Some sessions require RSVPs ahead of time. Make sure to sign up in advance so that you don’t miss out.

3. Do your homework. Think about what you’d like to accomplish at Annual Meeting. What questions would you like answered? Who would you like to meet? What organizations would you like to know better?

4. (Net)Work It! Leave your comfort zone and talk to new people. Sit with different people at every meal, plenary, and session. Exchange business cards. Make quick notes about the people you meet and capture any follow-ups for after Annual Meeting. ProTip: We love the book, How to Work a Room, if you’re looking for ways to up your networking game.

5. Try new things. There are seven professional tracks to choose from. Don’t limit yourself to the track that fits your current job description. Do check out the professional development sessions.

6. Session like a boss. It’s tempting to check email during sessions, but resist that urge. Be an active participant by taking notes and asking questions so that the content sinks in. Try writing down key lessons learned and one thing you or your organization will do differently from each session.

7. Treat it like a marathon, not a sprint. The days and nights are jam packed and there’s great morning programming. Don’t stay out too late each night and make sure to hydrate. ProTip: Wear comfortable shoes—better yet, it’s Nashville and cowboy boots are welcome!

8. Always Be Closing. Follow up with everyone you met during the conference. It can be as simple as following someone on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. Go back to your business cards and notes and make sure to close the loop on your action items.

9. Share the Knowledge. The benefits of Annual Meeting don’t end when you leave Nashville. Share what you’ve learned with your colleagues by putting together a presentation or sharing your notes.

10. Mark your Calendar. We’ll be back bigger and even better in August 2017. See you in San Antonio for the 25th Annual Meeting August 29-September 1!

Authored by: Carrie Conko

Vice President of Communications · State Policy Network