A leadership convention can move quickly – there are sessions to attend, people to meet, ideas to take in, and plenty of moments you never planned for.
Attending with a little preparation can help you make the most of the experience without overplanning it. Whether this is your first NAAAP Leadership Convention or simply your first conference in a while, here are eight things worth knowing before you go.
1. Decide what you want to get out of the convention
Before the convention begins, take a minute to decide what a successful experience would look like for you.
Is there something specific you want to learn, someone you want to meet? Could you be looking for career inspiration, new friends, chapter ideas, collaborators, or simply a renewed sense of connection?
You do not need a perfect goal. Just having a little intention can help you recognize the opportunities that matter most to you.
2. Have a short introduction ready
A polished elevator pitch isn’t necessary. You just need to make it easy for someone to keep the conversation going.
Your introduction does not need to explain everything you are currently working on, just give the other person somewhere to begin.
Try:
“I’m Pam from San Diego. I work in marketing and partnerships, and this is my first Leadership Convention. How about you?”
That is often enough to get a real conversation started.
3. Make yourself easy to find again
Business cards are handy. No business cards? No problem.
Before the convention, make sure you have at least one simple way for someone to stay in touch with you. This could be a business card, a digital contact card, your LinkedIn QR code, or a personal website.
Test your QR code before the convention, and make sure it links to the profile you actually want people to see. This cis also a good time to glance over and update your Linkedin headline and profile photo so people can easily recognize you online.
4. Leave yourself clues about the people you meet
It can be challenging to remember every new face you meet, especially when you meet several within a few days.
Leave yourself small clues to help jog your memory. After meeting someone, add a quick note to their business card or phone contact. You could also send a brief LinkedIn message while the conversation is still fresh.
A few words like “chapter growth,” “met after keynote,” or “fellow tennis fan” may be all you need to remember where the connection began.
5. Pack for the convention you are actually attending
Conference preparation is not all strategy and goal-setting. Sometimes good preparation simply looks like comfort with confidence.
Bring the shoes you have already worn in. Pack a light extra layer for cooler indoor temperatures. Think about what will help you stay comfortable through long days of sessions, conversations, and walking.
A few reliable conference must-haves:
- Comfortable shoes
- Light sweater or jacket
- Portable charger
- Refillable water bottle
- Mints or gum
- Stain-remover pen
Your future self will thank you.
6. Leave some room in your schedule
Planning every hour may feel like good preparation, but it is wise to leave some space open.
Choose the sessions and events you most want to attend, then leave room for the convention moments that are not on the agenda: the conversation after a panel, the person you meet while waiting for coffee, or the lunch invitation you did not see coming.
A packed schedule can tell you where to be, but it cannot predict who you will meet.
7. Remember that the easiest networking trick is curiosity
If networking is not your forte yet, or it makes you nervous, take some of the pressure off yourself.
You are not expected to be the most interesting person in the room. It is often far more valuable to be interested.
A few easy questions can go a long way:
- Where are you traveling from?
- What brought you to the convention this year?
- Which chapter are you with?
- What session have you enjoyed most so far?
- What are you hoping to take away from this week?
And if someone is standing alone, the classic “Mind if I join you?” still works surprisingly well.
8. Follow up before real life takes over
Following up should be part of your convention plan, not something you hope to get to later.
It is easy to let this step linger while you recover from an eventful week, so try to send a few notes before you fully unpack your suitcase or the Monday inbox fills up.
A good follow-up does not need to be lengthy or come with an immediate action item. Simply referencing what you talked about can be a great starting point for a meaningful connection.
. . .
The best convention experiences are rarely about doing everything. They are about being present enough to notice what matters: an idea that stays with you, a conversation that continues, or a connection you did not expect to make.
Come prepared, stay curious, and leave a little room for the moments you could not have planned.