MLA 2022 ANNUAL CONFERENCE HOME | REGISTRATION | VENUE AND HOTEL | SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE | FEATURED SPEAKERS | BREAKOUT SESSIONS | SPECIAL EVENTS | EXHIBITORS | MAKE THE CASE TO ATTEND | TIPS FOR FIRST TIME ATTENDEES | VENDOR AND SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES | LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT | MLA ANNUAL CONFERENCE HISTORY
MLA 2022 Tips for First Time Attendees
The MLA 2022 Annual Conference Workgroup has put together this list of tips and tricks for first time in-person conference attendees to help you get the most out of your experience.
Welcome! Pat yourself on the back for choosing to attend this in-person conference. We hope you learn lots, meet new people, and have fun! Here are a few tips to help make your participation successful:
- Make a Plan
- Review the conference schedule. Reflect on what you are hoping to learn.
- Choose sessions you are interested in attending, but always make a plan B. Sometimes sessions are full, or after a few minutes you realize it wasn’t what you thought it would be about. It is okay to leave and go to another session, especially early in the session.
- Download any handouts to sessions that spark your interest (whether or not you plan to attend). Print copies may not be available.
- Download the conference app before you arrive to start networking early.
- Check out the facility map in the conference app and make a note of where events/sessions are located.
- Test your internet connections; while turning off the sound on your smart phone is appreciated you can still use your phone to take notes or even send tweets about what you are learning. Tweet @mlaoffice and use Hashtag #mlaac22
- Ask questions. Speakers are usually happy to speak with participants after a session.
- Take notes. Write down any questions you may have or ideas that come to you during a session.
- What to Bring
- A small notebook and pens/pencils; even if you are taking notes using a device, a notebook is always handy. And sometimes technology doesn’t work ☺
- A tote or bag to carry all the handouts, posters, and giveaways you’ll receive.
- A water bottle. Filling stations will be available at the conference center.
- Wear comfortable shoes!
- Layer your clothing. Room temperatures can differ.
- The Exhibit Hall
- Plan time during your day(s) to visit vendors. They want to talk with you and don’t expect every conversation to end in a sale.
- Make sure you stop by booths of vendors you already use. They love to be able to put a face with a voice!
- If you come to the conference with a list of possible purchases, you will be able to use your time to seek out vendors who can help you.
- Take the candy – always take the candy!
- Final Thoughts
- Introduce yourself to the person sitting next to you.
- Bring business cards with you.
- Make new friends – networking is one of the best benefits of conference attendance. MLA is hosting bar trivia Thursday night for an informal and fun way to connect.
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