I was a conference virgin, both analog and digital. But on the 1st and 2nd of March, I had my first. 2 days filled with talks and workshops. It was fun, exciting, and educational. But the experience was not all fun. There were some frustrating things. Some things that I could have prevented. So, I thought, why not help others learn from things I could have hindered?
Hopefully, this helps all first-timers out there.
Before booking a conference
Check the timezone
Before you book any conference, check the timezone. I did not do this, and so on the day of the conference, I was there on time. Well, on time my time. Which was 1 hour too early. I was lucky it was just 1 hour. Imagine if the conference was a couple of timezones ahead? Or later?
I practically planned everything around the conference, not thinking about the timezone at all. Childcare, dinner, etc.
Read the title AND content
I did not. So you can see how dismayed I was when I read the title and the talks had really not much to do with what I was expecting. This was not that tragic, but I could have skipped these sessions.
Before the conference
Check unknown apps
If they send you a list of apps that will be used during the conference, do not assume that these are very intuitive. Not all apps are. I learned the hard way, the app was pretty popular. I thought, with everyone using this, it should be easy-peasy. Nope! I spent a couple of minutes trying to figure out how the thing works.
On the conference day
Prepare
Like pen and paper, or something you would use to take notes. Or if there are some tools necessary for the workshops, make sure you have enough of them at hand. And something to drink, best to just prepare a jug.
During the conference
If you know that recordings will be available afterward, then relax. You have time to catch up soon. So go to the toilet, stretch your legs a bit, walk around. Enjoy it. And network!
Silke 