Surviving a Conference - Tips for Introverts

Attending conferences or trade shows may be part of your role at work. Great! A conference can be a fantastic professional development and networking opportunity. But for those of us <raises hand> who are introverted, or even shy or socially anxious, they can be intimidating. Those anxious feelings can be amplified if it's your first time attending a conference.

How can we make the experience easier, more enjoyable, and valuable? Here are my "try" and "try not to's", to feel more comfortable and confident at a conference:

Try to: Plan ahead.

Reducing the number of unknowns in a social situation helps me relax and focus on the task at hand. One way I feel more comfortable at a conference is by planning ahead and doing my homework before I even arrive. I study the agenda - making a note of the sessions I want to attend and where they are located. I make sure I know where the hotel is, and the parking, and their proximity to the conference events. Some conferences are held in hotels while others in massive convention centers. Start small - find the registration booths! I grab my registration materials and then tour the session/event locations to get a good lay of the land.

Try not to: Get there late.

No need to feel additionally stressed by a last minute scramble. Sometimes that's unavoidable - which is when that pre-arrival research comes in handy.

Try to: Check if anyone else from your organization is going.

Maybe this is a co-worker you already know. Maybe it's someone several departments away. Either way, some barriers for striking up a conversation have been removed - you know their name, you have commonalities, you have someone to sit next to at lunch. At a social function, like an opening reception, chatting with this person can lead to other great conversations as others join you. You don't need to cling to this person, but they can be a sense of comfort and a gateway to introductions to others.

What if no one else is going? You know who will always want to talk to you at a conference and will probably carry the conversation until you get comfortable enough to jump into the social swimming pool? Vendors! Most conferences have sponsoring or participating vendors. Those reps would LOVE to chat with you - because it's literally their job. Hint: They're the ones in the logo-ed shirts.

You can also pick out someone who looks just as lost and uncomfortable as you and just say 'hi'. Bam! You've made your conference buddy. There's also nothing wrong with running solo. Focus on why you're there.

Try not to: Skip the vendor exhibit hall.

I know - it's honestly my least favorite part of a conference. You walk around a huge room from vendor to vendor and they try to sell you on their product/service. But hear me out: (1) The vendors will do the work - just answer questions and listen. Grab a pamphlet, say thanks for chatting, and move on to the next. (2) You don't even have to stop and chat. Grab the pamphlet and keep moving - you can still pick up some great ideas for your organization that way!

Try to: Focus on your educational goals.

Attend the educational sessions, take notes, and enjoy them! You're there to learn new things that will help you and help your organization. Networking is a bonus.

Try not to: Let the fear of social interaction stop you from learning and growing professionally.

Each conference you attend will get a little easier. You'll develop tactics that work for YOU. And you'll make connections and friends over time. Most importantly, you'll learn a lot.

Share a helpful tactic you use to feel more comfortable at conferences in the comments!