Thoughts By Jen

I originally posted this last year — but feel perhaps it is worth a revisit.  My additional comments are added in italics.

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Lots of conferences are happening……….NECC happens next week, BLC, Lausanne Laptop, and more are coming up soon……….I invite you to take the Conference Challenge……….(and I will be taking it as well)

1.  Do not equate Name Recognition with Greatness.  Take the time to get to know the “knowns” — they are approachable, they are human beings, and they have life beyond tech.  Don’t assume because their name is “KNOWN” that they are unapproachable.  Be brave — get to know them!

If you are shy, ask someone to invite you to someone you wish to know.  Also, go up to ask a question……..I met and became friends with Tony Brewer and David Warlick by just asking questions after the session.

2.  Name drop NEW NAMES.  Go to a session presented by someone you have never heard and LISTEN and then blog, wiki, or skype about it.  Share what you learned.  Expand their session by being town crier and share NEW NAMES!!

It is easy to quote the people we all know and take their word as the final say……..but honestly, the newbies add a new fresh tone to the conversation.  And remember to drop their blog address, twitter name, and websites!!

3.  Step back and don’t critique — but learn.  Some of us (I will admit I am one) have become a conference snob and if you don’t wow me in 5 minutes, I move on…..and that is a fault.  Some people need momentum to get going.  Races are not always won in the first 10 minutes — but in the endurance to finish…..so take the time to give someone a break and push past the (very hard) first 5 minutes of the speaker connecting with their audience……and then blog what you learned.

Most people will live up to your expectation.  Sometimes you do need to wait for that “moment” of inspiration.

4.  Check out the poster sessions.  As I have said, and will say again, these areas are overlooked — and often are the most exciting.  Take the time to walk through and talk with the presenters.  This is a wonderful time for the personal contact, the individual questions, more…….and then blog about what you learned.

Cannot say this enough   VISIT THE POSTER SESSIONS!!!

5.  Try something different.  Go ahead and go out to eat with your “favorite friends” but invite someone new to the conversation.  At CUE, our small dinner group of 4 ended up being 13 — and it was great to get to know new people — it was great talking with old friends too — it just became better because new voices were added.

Take the time to find out what “events” are happening and go to the Google party, the DEN event, the TechLearning gettogether……besides free goodies, you will rub shoulders with people you should meet – and who should MEET you too!!

6.  Take some time to just walk away.  Excuse yourself from the conversation, eliminate all outside influences, and just re-evaluate what is happening with you.

Write your thoughts down and blog them later.

7.  Walk the exhibit hall, find something WORTH sharing, and then blog about it.  What’s the newest toy that is not just a gadget but is going to bring change to your classroom — let us know.  What new software will make things easier for the office staff — let us know!!

I walk the exhibit hall the first time without stopping at any booth.  That is the way I sift through what I want to return to, what I can bypass……plus, it is good exercise.

8.  Smooz Smooz Smooz!!  Take the time to visit the BIG BOOTHS and introduce yourself and become a KNOWN yourself.  I always stop by Inspiration, Google, DEN, Tech4Learning, Atomic Learning, etc….just to say hi and reintroduce.  After enough “Hi’s”, you are remembered……and they become a great resource when you just might need a door prize, to test a new software, or a connection for future reference.

Don’t sell yourself short………YOU are important to these people!!  If you like their product, let them know!!  If you do not like their product, ask them questions, share concerns, ask to be added if they bring out a new beta.  Let them know that you are interested in what they are offering.

9.  Share with us what is HAPPENING and not just being talked about.  Let us know names of teachers that are creating incredible and exceptional opportunities with their students and let us know HOW they are doing it.

Can’t say this enough either — share share share.

10.  Don’t make it just “ANOTHER” tech conference………..look for the “OHWOW” moments and share them.  Be an “OH WOW” moment and stop by “the Bloggers Cafe”, or “Necc Unplugged”, or “Edublogger Con” or whatever venue there is for conversation and SHARE YOUR STORY TOO!!!

One of the benefits of the bloggers cafe is that you get the best of all sessions in a crunch period of time.  Ask people — what session they went to and what were the highlights!!  And share your highlights as well.

Enjoy your time at NECC & other conferences.!
And consider sharing on your blog, wiki, twitter…what session you are going to…….and invite others to skype in with you.  (Just remind them to mute their mike!)  And if the session is being ustreamed………share that link too!!

Jen