How to Commute to a Conference

 It's almost Influence Conference time! Because I'm commuting to The Influence Conference this year, I thought I'd jot down some helpful hints on how to best commute to a conference. Being a classic overpacker and a worse case scenario-type person (what if I sit in chocolate and don't have another pair of pants to change into?!), I lean towards packing my whole wardrobe and every possible color pen I might want to write with at a conference.

1 // BRING ONLY THE ESSENTIALS

Here are what I consider the essentials: business cards, iPhone, extra charging cord for iPhone, notebook, pens, extra shirt (just in case you get sweaty from all the conference nerves...or spill something on your shirt), touch-up makeup, Tylenol, gum (anyone else worry about having bad breath when meeting someone for the first time?), snacky foods, water bottle, wallet.

And here are what I consider the NON-essentials: laptop (unless you're a dedicated laptop note taker. If you think you'll take notes with it, but don't normally do it, leave the heavy thing at home), fancy camera (you'll be too busy networking and making friends to worry about setting up the fancy camera for a group shot...unless your a photographer by trade, in which case you might actually use it), multiple extra outfits, books/magazines, packed meals, work from your day job (you won't have time in between sessions to do it...plus you won't want to! You're there to meet people), etc.


2 // BRANCH OUT

It's a MAJOR temptation to stick to the people you already have relationships with, especially when your nerves get the best of you. It's important to get to know other local business owners/bloggers, but don't stay in that comfort zone. My advice? Sit with your local friends for a couple sessions, or meals, or breaks. Then, sit next to random people for the rest of the sessions, meals or breaks. It's a great way to meet new friends! Use those networking skills!


3 // BE EARLY

Leave plenty of room to commute to the conference before the day's first scheduled activity. You'll be less stressed if there's traffic or problems with parking. Plus, remember that everyone else is staying several floors above the conference meeting rooms, and they will trickle down for coffee and snacks before the first session. By arriving early, you're giving yourself more networking time. I mean, half the draw of a conference is to meet like-minded individuals, right? Commuting can prohibit that...so arrive early and don't let it!


4 // VOLUNTEER

Most conferences need help with set-up or tear down (if you can get off work, if the conference falls during a weekday). Or offer to pick other attendees up from the airport. Remember, most of them aren't familiar with your city. Plus, both are another great way to connect with people!


Have you commuted to conferences before? Do you have any other helpful hints??