“The ultimate” Blockchain Week Guide
How make the most of blockchain week
The upcoming Consensus event is one of the most anticipated gatherings in the crypto community. While some attendees have already arrived in Austin and are visiting the first side events, it’s a good time to prepare and plan your visit the next blockchain week in the most effective way possible to get the most out of these events.
Preparation
Crypto conference is extremely popular and attracts people from all around the world for this reason, buying tickets for the event and booking a hotel at the last moment is not a good strategy, not only because of cost but also because possibly you didn’t find a convenient hotel close to the venue.
Usually, ticket sales start approximately 2–3 months before the event. Check a events calendar (https://cryptoevents.xyz/ or my) and official twitters to don’t miss opportunity. Buying early bird tickets not only saves you money, it also helps you in networking with feature attendees and organizers. Don’t worry if you change your mind; most organizers allow you to resell your tickets.
If you OG, a cool specialist, or have something to tell to the community, feel free to apply to the event as a speaker.
If you are a student or professor, most of the conference serves students tickets but be fast; the count of these tickets is limited.
In case you weren’t lucky enough to get a ticket to the main event, don’t worry usually, sponsors and other activists organize a “blockchain week” full of side events. Sometimes side events are more interesting than the main event and have a separate registration.
There are a few sources where you can find about side events. First of all, it’s an “official” chat of an event or chat of the local web3 community. The next one, it’s a list created by DAOs like Crypto Nomads Club. The most count of side events announced in 1–2 weeks to the main event and adding during all blockchain week. Places on side events are limited, be fast and polite (make registration only for events that you are going to visit, if you change your mind, share your ticket with guys who are looking for these tickets or cancel your RSVP). It can be overwhelming to attend all the side events during a conference, so it’s important to choose wisely based on your specific goals and interests.
To prevent too much spam and don’t lose tickets (also don’t miss confirmation of your place), is a good idea to use a separate email (or wallet if the ticket is NFT) for registration. using corporate email gives you more chances to be approved for a side event.
If you are a hacker, also the cool opportunity is participating in a hackathon. Hackathon participants have a close connection with sponsors and sometimes receive exclusive discounts or free tickets. Registration for the hackathon is usually opened a month before the event. Be fast, places are limited.
At events, you will meet a huge amount of people it’s very easy to forget what are talking about and what commitment you promised. To prevent this situation prepare a spreadsheet for collecting contacts and a short description of your discussion and promises (also useful to use services like a hotspot).
To make the connection faster, prepare qrcode of your contacts (or also about your company) as a business card or put it on the lock screen.
Obviously, you need to book a hotel, transport tickets and make Visas (organizers usually provide invitation letters for the visa process). As early as you make it, as cheaper it will be for you.
Close to the venue time, review your schedule one more time and prepare goals and list of connections that you need; it helps you to plan your trip and not be nervous because of FOMA.
One more smart move, it’s hired a personal assistant who will help you with collecting connections, book you to new side events, and help in solving routine staff.
Participating
A 300 IQ move is to take advantage of pre-registration opportunities to save time and secure limited merchandise and perks. Prepare a printed card or ID (where required by law) with your name and email used during registration, as some registration attendants may struggle with spelling your name correctly.
If the event provides a networking app, like WEF, WebSummit, or DevCon, be sure to install and use it to connect with people. Sometimes, these apps are also used to book limited-capacity rooms.
Check the event chats for up-to-date information about side events exclusive to participants, common interests, and more, and share your feedback to increase your recognition in the community.
When you meet someone, it’s a good idea to ask for a selfie (with their permission) and take a brief note of what you talked about. This will help you remember the context of the conversation and continue the discussion later.
If you’re a merch hunter, arrive at the beginning of the event to secure the best merchandise and ensure you have enough space in your baggage.
Avoid wearing a big backpack, as clock rooms are often not nearby.
A power bank is not only your ally but also an excellent tool for helping someone and making a new connection.
The unwritten laws of standing in line are similar all around the world, so use your network to help your colleagues, but don’t overdo it.
Don’t forget about food. There are various formats of events related to food, and it’s also a great opportunity to meet new people.
Here are some points to consider regarding clothing:
- If you wear company merchandise, people may assume you work for that company.
- Standing out in a crowd can make it easier to remember you, but don’t go overboard.
- Match your clothing to your role. If you’re a developer, you can wear almost anything, but if you’re a VC or BD, look presentable and professional.
- It’s a good idea to dress up for happy hours and after-parties.
P.S. Don’t be afraid to visit the smoking area; it can be an excellent place to network.
After care
After the event is over, take some time to explore the city and make the most of your visit. You never know when you’ll get another chance to come back, so seize the opportunity while you can. Consider arranging a follow-up meeting with any partners or contacts who are still in the area.
If you’ve collected too much swag and don’t want to lug it around, consider shipping it back home instead of paying extra baggage fees.
In the following week, make sure to follow up with all the new connections you made during the event. Your notes will come in handy to help you remember what you talked about. Write posts, locate yourself in any event photos, and summarize any insights you gained from pitches. This will help you solidify your relationships and maintain your presence within the community.
Conclusion
In conclusion, attending blockchain events can be a rewarding experience, especially for those who are open-minded and bring value to the community. The crypto community is known for its hospitality, and attending events such as blockchain week can provide numerous opportunities for networking and learning. By following the tips mentioned above and being open to new experiences, you can make the most out of your time at these events. After attending your first blockchain week, you will likely gain valuable insights on how to manage your time effectively and take advantage of all the opportunities available. If you have any life hacks or tips to share, feel free to leave them in the comments.
