June 28, 2013

7 Foolproof Tips for Networking at Hobsons U and NSI

Jun. 28, 2013 at 07:00 AM | By Marlysa Connolly | Comment Count

Summer is all about sunny days at the beach, backyard barbeques, fireworks, and long evening strolls in the park. But for folks in education, summertime means Hobsons University and Naviance Summer Institute.

Yes, it’s that special time of year when you and your colleagues come together to discuss trends in education; share ideas on how to enrich student experiences over the next year; and learn how to improve institutional effectiveness across departments and campuses. And the best part is, you get to do this at a snazzy resort and over a much-deserved cocktail.

*Hobsons U is at the Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, FL and NSI is at the Waldorf Astoria in Naples, FL.

But, getting ready for Hobsons’ annual user conferences is much more than packing your phone charger and toothpaste. Being truly prepared for getting the most out of your conference experience is making sure you are ready for networking.

Networking is scary. Let’s face it, who wants to be that guy or gal awkwardly standing beside the hors d'oeuvres waiting for someone, anyone to spark a conversation and take their business card? Whether you are coming alone or with a group, Hobsons has you covered.

Here are 7 Foolproof Tips for Networking at Hobsons U and NSI. Hobsons Education Advocate

Practice your personal pitch

It’s bound to happen at any conference. Another attendee will introduce him or herself and expect you to do the same. So, how do you prevent fumbling over your words and making a terrible first impression?

Practice.

Set aside time to write a polished 3 – 4 sentence elevator pitch before the conference. Your pitch should include who you are, whom you work for, and what you do. It’s that simple.

Once you have your pitch, take a few minutes to practice in front a mirror, a friend, or in your car. It doesn’t matter. Having a well-rehearsed pitch will help ease introductions into meaningful conversations.

The 411 on Business Cards

Some conference goers say business cards are obsolete and for the dinosaurs. Maybe they’re right. Regardless, business cards are still an essential part of networking at conferences.

Do check your business card for accuracy. Did you recently get a promotion, change your name, or relocate? Make sure your business card reflects these changes and is up-to-date.
Do bring a handful of business cards. Place your cards in your handbag, laptop case, or wallet when packing for the conference.
Do be selective about who you give your business card to. This isn’t to say you should ration your cards as if they were the last Milky Way on earth. As a rule of thumb, hand out a business card when asked or when exchanging contact information.
Do ask other conference goers for their business card and follow-up! Be proactive about building relationships with your colleagues as this could lead to future career and professional development opportunities. A great way to follow-up nowadays is connecting or sending a personal message via LinkedIn. Here’s how to set-up your best LinkedIn profile.

Review Your Conference Program

This may seem like a no-brainer but reviewing your conference program in detail beforehand is often overlooked. There are two simple reasons to do this:

To scope out the best sessions, networking events, and speakers you may want to connect with.
To ensure you bring the right clothes for conference activities. Attire is casual at Hobsons U and NSI but a few activities this year, like Hobsons U’s 80’s themed Excellence Awards Reception, require a little more thought.

Hobsons University Agenda
Naviance Summer Institute Agenda

Get Your Tweet On

If you haven’t jumped on the Twitter bandwagon yet, you are missing out on a fantastic opportunity to engage with colleagues and industry pundits during conferences. Most conferences today have a conference hashtag (#HobsonsU13 and #NSI13) where attendees share key points from presentations, discuss prolific events and controversial topics impacting the industry, stay updated on conference happenings, and coordinate tweet-ups to continue conversations on Twitter offline.

Check out The Newcomers Guide to Twitter to get started.

*A word of caution: building a Twitter profile takes commitment and a little work. So, you should only create a Twitter handle if you plan to use Twitter more than a couple times a year at conferences.

Want more networking razzmatazz? Stay tuned for Part 2.

Don’t be shy! Share your best networking pointers below in the comment box.