How to Prepare for Your Upcoming Business Conference

Getting the most out of your attendance at a business conference is not just good for your career but it also demonstrates good stewardship of your company’s commitment to you and the resources that make your attendance possible.

Here are five ways to prepare for your upcoming conference so you can get the most out of it:

Dress for success. Don’t hesitate to go shopping and add something new to your wardrobe for the conference. It’s important to feel confident and often looking your best can increase your confidence level and enable you to make those important connections.

Set up contacts in advance. You might not get a list of attendees in advance, but you’ll likely know some of the speakers or panelists who will be there. Identify a few people to get in touch with prior to the conference, letting them know you’ll be attending, and try to set up lunch or even a quick coffee. 

Be clear with yourself about what you are looking to gain from the meeting.

Plan your schedule. Don’t wait until you get to the conference to decide how you’ll use your time there. Even if you’re unable to get a detailed schedule you can get a general sense for the keynote presentations that you want to attend.

Pack your business cards. Be sure to have your business cards at the ready and up-to-date with your current job title and accurate contact information.

Get rest. Conferences can be very busy and overwhelming so prepare for this by getting enough rest in advance, and if possible, take a nap on the plane if you’re flying.

Use the time away to recharge your batteries and gain some new ideas for your company and career.

Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: Do's and Don'ts for Dressing Professionally

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career and life development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

In the video below from Inc., learn five do's and don'ts to dress professionally for your job. Check out the video to learn more.

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: Does Dressing for Success Really Work?

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

• Does Dressing for Success Really Work?: "When I present myself in a way that’s contrary to that image, it throws things off and makes people feel out of place, uncomfortable. Especially me."

• How to Get Over Your Fear of Self-Promotion: "Whether you're a freelancer, a business owner or a serial side hustler, self-promotion is crucial to attracting clients and ultimately, making sales."

• 10 Horrible Habits That Are Draining Your Energy: "The solution is to learn how to say no. The transition is difficult at first, but people will respect you for it. Plus, it will give you significantly more time and power to commit to other things."

• The Right & Wrong Way to Attract Young Workers to a "Boring" Company: "I hear it time and again — How can we compete with Facebook or Google for young engineers? How can we attract digitally savvy marketers against Starbucks or Amazon?"
• 5 Remarkably Powerful Ways to Boost Self-Confidence: "Wouldn't it be amazing to have this kind of self-confidence, every day of the week? Guess what? You can. It comes down to one simple question: If you don't believe in yourself, how do you expect anybody else to?"