Headed to your first business conference? Likely you have a lot of questions, maybe some nerves, and some excited anticipation. Here are some things I learned when I attended my first conference, Osaic’s W Forum, in Music City, Nashville, TN.
Start with a Plan
It’s important to have a plan, which starts well before you even arrive. Hopefully your organization has been communicating regularly, whether via email or on a dedicated conference website. Look at the agenda and get a good idea of the theme, presenters, and potential topics you would like to learn more about. There are probably some sessions that require pre-registration, so you don’t want to miss out on a session you had your eyes on. If there is an app, download it. This will help you track the individual breakout sessions and seminars you want to attend, including time and location logistics.
Make sure to build in enough time to check in, get the lay of the land, and do some mingling with other conference attendees or staff if you have any questions.
First Impressions and First-Day Energy
My first day consisted of a first-time attendee welcome party before heading into the kick-off general session. Osaic’s W Forum Visionaries shared their stories of resilience, knowing your value, both in life and in your business, and the importance of financial autonomy for women. Following those inspiring speakers was the evening marketplace, great business partners plus cool swag, and dinner, complete with a Dolly Parton theme to really amplify the atmosphere.
What to Focus on During Sessions
Day 2 was slated to be packed full of breakouts and seminars. On my schedule was a discussion around how important it is to be a good CEO as well as a financial advisor, building a solid internship program in order to have a strong talent pool, and integrating AI tools into your practice in order to run your practice more efficiently so that the focus remains on the overall client experience. Which leads me into some more best practices.
Take Notes and Ask Questions
Be prepared to take notes and don’t be afraid to ask questions, not just about the presentations or seminars you attend, but about the people you will meet. There will be a lot of new names and faces, so if you intend to follow up with new connections, it’s helpful to have some details to reference. I used the app and my phone notes primarily for this, but pen and paper also work just fine.
Take in the Local Scene
When you get a break, try to take in some local scenery. Check out a nearby museum or historical site, grab a drink from a local coffee shop, or take a walk around, weather permitting, of course. Even when I had just a 10-minute break, I watched some furry friends play at the local dog park. Trust me, your brain will thank you.
Balance the Conference and the Experience
After full days of learning, networking, and reflective conversations, it was time to hit the town for dinner and live music in Downtown Nashville. The winddown felt so good after the busy conference. Whether you’re a first timer or a veteran, I think it’s important to be able to balance all the aspects of your trip: the people, the lessons, and the locale.
Personally, I’m excited to follow up on connections with the amazing women I met, work through my notes for ideas to implement in my own career, and maybe mix some more bell bottoms and fringe into my wardrobe.
