Making the Most out of your Conference Experience

ProjectUX
ProjectUX
Sep 6, 2018 · 6 min read

Written by: Lisa Truong

Walking around the bustling hallways, I look back at the program to confirm the room number and speaker. I squeeze through a small crowd, reach my destination, and found an empty seat. I sat next to an empty chair with another attendee on its right. A seat away isn’t too close for me to feel pressured to speak to the person immediately, but close enough for me to think of what to say and muster up the courage to say hi.

Jared Spool speaking during the kick-off of Big Design 2017.

“It doesn’t hurt to put yourself out there. The worst thing they could say is no.”

Conferences are a major part of bringing many people together around a common theme. It’s a great place to network, meet big shots, and even find that one lead that might get you that next job offer. Even though we all know the value that can come out of a conference, how do we go about making the most out of this experience? This question is especially applicable to the novices in the industry, including myself. Last year’s Big Design conference was my very first and I was just barely starting out in UX design. I didn’t know anyone else in the field, so I was walking in not sure what to expect or what to really look for. It can be intimidating when everyone seems to know everyone else and seems to have it all together. This is for the people who want to take the next big step of putting themselves out there in the community. What can you do to prepare yourself for the big weekend and gain the most out of it?

Do your research

This may seem obvious, but you can never do too much research to know who’s coming, what they’re all about, and the topics that will be covered. You’ll be able to plan out your day better when you prioritize the talks, workshops, and individuals you want to see and meet. Stop by their LinkedIn and look at the specifics of what they specialize in and find the individuals whose goals and interests align with yours. This can give you a curve on starting that conversation with these professionals and to show them you know your stuff and know what you’re looking for.

Volunteer

Check to see if there are any volunteer opportunities for the conference you’re attending. If you’re able to get a spot, you’ll be able to see what goes on behind the scenes. I spoke to UX/UI designer Kristina Rudolph on the topic of gaining momentum when you’re new to the field. She shared her experience of reaching out to ask about volunteer opportunities. She didn’t get a response back, but she decided to drive out to the venue anyway. She spoke to someone to see if she could hop in and help in any way. This person happened to be the organizer for the event and he happily let her join in. She gained a lot of insight and the organizer allowed her to attend the conference for free! She said, “It doesn’t hurt to put yourself out there. The worst thing they could say is no. The only loss would’ve just been the gas it took me to drive there and back.” Don’t be afraid to take advantage of these opportunities. You’ll never know how much you can end up gaining through them!

Reach out to some Colleagues

If someone you know is going to the same conference, reach out and see if they’re interested in coming along, meet up with you, or even chat over coffee sometime during that weekend. This is a good opportunity to get to know them on a more deeper level and even be introduced to some of their colleagues as well. This can be an excellent start to building your network as these people can connect you to more people throughout the conference.

Come Prepared

Bring business cards, resumes, and stationery! You’ll never know who you’ll meet and they are necessities to have when networking. You can simply hand off your card, jot down their information, or hand off your resume to a potential employer. Having the LinkedIn app installed and ready to go on your phone is another great tool to link up with others in a matter of seconds.

Ask Questions

Attending talks and workshops throughout the conference are, without a doubt, valuable. Staying after these events can arguably be just as important, if not more than the talks themselves. It can be a little nerve wracking though. Someone just finished a lengthy talk, how can you go up there and make that first impression? Robert Andrews, executive director of ProjectUX, emphasizes the importance of asking questions during a talk. It’s a good way to make an impression, to show you’re engaged, and it’s easier for you to make that transition from another audience member to a memorable face. The speaker will recognize you and your questions and it’ll definitely be a good segue into a deeper conversation.

A panel of UX design experts with ProjectUX host Brandon Ward at Big Design 2017.

Follow Up

This is something that may be one of the most important things you do, and it’s often the one that’s neglected the most. Following up with the people you’ve met at the conference can make it or break it for the next turning point of your career. If you don’t bother to follow up, your efforts at the conference could go to waste. Make sure to stand out and send that message thanking these people for their time and remind them of what you discussed. Keep it open for them to continue the conversation and see if it can lead to a potential professional relationship. This person could be your next mentor who can help you take your career to the next level.

Don’t be Afraid to Share your Story

It can be daunting to come into a large conference and see people who seem to have it all together. You may just be starting off in the industry, or you may be in a predicament that you’d hope to be out of soon. Either way, it’s hard to feel confident in this environment when you’re not where you want to be yet in your career. Seasoned UX design and ProjectUX host Brandon Ward connected with a great number of people who helped him through his UX journey. He came to his first Big Design conference without a job and wasn’t really sure where he would end up next.

Interacting with other attendees exposed him to great connections and potential employers. He was able to get a job opportunity out of it that launched his career. No matter where you’re coming from, there’s always something or someone you can learn and gain from. It’s not a matter of how much you know or where you are in the industry, but it’s whether you’re willing to come in, learn, and contribute to the conversation.

Robert Andrews and Omar Ahmad of ProjectUX discuss the benefits of attending conferences.

With Big Design 2018 just around the corner, be sure to take the time to map out your experience and make the most out of your time there. It’s an environment where people are welcome to share ideas, reach out, and network. No matter where you are on your journey, there will definitely be something new learn and new relationships awaiting you. This is the time to step out of your comfort zone and gain the knowledge and connections that can carry you far in the right direction.

ProjectUX is the UX Show for startups. We help startups improve their products through a heuristic review of their UX and a round of usability testing.

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