Conference Attendance Tips - How to Make the Most Out of Your Conference Experience

by Morgan Wagner (2023-2024 Campus Rep. Coordinator)

Going to a conference can be stressful – whether it’s your first or fifteenth time, here are some tips to get the most out of your conference experience while maintaining your sanity!

Before you leave
Make sure you pack clothes you will be comfortable in, both physically and emotionally. Conference days are long, and you don’t want to be in an itchy top, uncomfortable pants, or shoes that pinch. You also want to be confident and professional. Bring clothes that help you do all those things (and if you can get it all in a carry-on, even better!).

Bring business cards, or something with your name, affiliation, and contact information. This is super helpful when you connect with others at talks, social events, or poster sessions to give them your information without having to search for a pen and paper! Bringing something like this will be especially helpful if you are giving a talk or presenting a poster, as you can connect later with people who are interested in your research.

If you are presenting a poster, get a cloth poster (instead of paper). This will save you the hassle of traveling with a large tube of paper, and is less prone to rips, crinkles, and folded edges. I personally use this website to print my posters. It costs about $25 and takes 2-3 weeks to create and ship. The Performance Pique fabric is wrinkle-proof – perfect for stuffing in a suitcase with the rest of your clothes!

During the Conference
Attend poster sessions! They have a more casual vibe compared to the rest of your day, they have free food, and there is a research area for everyone to enjoy. These sessions are a great way to network with people whose research you are interested in, as well as to learn about other areas in the field. Another great way to get a taste of many research topics is at a data blitz. In these sessions, you can get a broad overview of research questions in specific areas in a short period of time – perfect for those looking to explore a new area within the field!