Capitalize on your virtual conference experience by networking with other conference attendees
Start Networking Now
Meeting other professionals at a conference who do what you do on a daily basis has always been a key benefit to attending an in-person conference or event. You don’t have to lose that benefit just because you aren’t going to be at the event live. Follow these tips to increase your virtual networking IQ. These are tailored to URMIA’s 2024 Annual Conference, but the concepts can be applied to any virtual conference you are attending.
Make a Game Plan
Undoubtedly, attending a conference from your desk means you will likely get distracted at least once during the day with emails and your routine work. Consider the following:
- Turn off your computer notifications to focus on the conference.
- Put a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your office door to help eliminate potential disruptions.
- Think about turning on auto-replies on your email to let others know you are attending a conference.
Review the conference schedule ahead of time and flag in the conference app those sessions that interest you the most and make every effort to attend them (or at least view the on-demand recording the same day).
Share on social media that you’re attending the conference. Doing this attracts peers who may also be participating. Encourage others to comment on sessions they attended. A conversation may bubble up from this simple post. Need a graphic? URMIA provides a graphic you can use to share that you’re attending.
Create some goals for your conference attendance. Maybe it’s “introduce yourself to five new people” or “trade emails with ten attendees.” Make a list as you will be more apt to follow up on them and make them happen.
During the Conference
Participate in social events/virtual hangouts offered for virtual attendees.
- It may be something as simple as a 15-minute wrap-up session at the end of each day of presentations which can give you an opportunity to dig a little further into a topic.
- Use a virtual roundtable on “Controversies on Campus” to exchange thoughts with fellow attendees.
- Experience something totally unrelated to risk management- like Trivia Night or Bingo. Take a brain break!
Share an interesting/related article with others. Have an article you just read about the topic being discussed? Share it in the chat with other attendees. You might find someone else who just read the same thing.
After the Conference Is Over
Keep Networking. Email those you made contact with and request a further conversation. Remind them how you met.
Find your connections on LinkedIn and, well, connect. Share that you’re interested in keeping in touch in the future. Relationships do require constant nurturing, but conversations don’t have to be long. Even a quick congrats on milestones counts as keeping in touch.
Return to the app/website. The app still works even after the conference. You can:
- View your favorite session recordings after the annual conference until DATE/TIME
- Invite colleagues to view session recordings with you and discuss how you might implement some of what was discussed at your institution.
- Missed out on a session during the conference? Take some time to view any unexplored sessions.
- Download any session slide decks and any other materials presenters may have provided.
- Complete the survey for any sessions you haven’t filled out yet. Your comments help us continually improve your virtual conference experience in years to come!
Enjoy URMIA’s 2024 Annual Conference!
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