The problem with most conferences is that, while they inspire and motivate onsite, they fail to provide lasting prescriptive guidelines or hacks that can be applied “back at the ranch.” This deficiency may lay with the conference program itself, lack of planning on the part of the attendee, or both. At The AIIM Conference, our goal is to ensure that your three-day investment delivers at least a year’s worth of value to you and your organization.
Here are a few ideas for optimizing your conference experience:
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Come to the conference with at least one primary business objective. Ask yourself what key issue you are trying to resolve or personal goal you are trying to achieve, then...
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Plan your agenda accordingly – by educational sessions and social activities. Where are you likely to get the answers to your questions and/or meet the folks that can help you with your challenges? The AIIM17 conference app will help you do both with easy tagging and people lookup capabilities.
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Be prepared to take notes in the best format for recalling and using when you get back to your office. One of the best ways to jog your memory is to write a quick summary and your top takeaways before you leave any session.
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Ask for recommendations on networks and resources that will help you reinforce what you learned when the conference is over. Session speakers and fellow participants will be happy to provide these— and your question makes for a great conversation starter with folks you don't know.
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Plan how you’ll share the information with your colleagues. Offer to host a “lunch & learn” session in the few weeks following. This is not only a nice gesture, but one that will help to justify your investment.
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Remember that one primary business objective? Spend a few minutes on the plane ride home to determine where there may still be gaps in your skillset. Then, map out a plan for topping up your newfound knowledge with extra training, consultation services, etc. AIIM is always here to help with your continuing education needs.
