Five Fun Ideas on Conference Attendance

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

I definitely don't get to attend enough conferences, but those that I do I completely LOVE. There's a special place in my heart for MisCon (my hometown book/comic conference), and there are several others that are totally on my *someday* list: The Frankfurt Book fair, ComicCon, Love N. Vegas, and many more. I love going and talking with other authors, discussing theories with fans, and generally just getting to bask in the feeling of mutual enjoyment of good books and stories. That's the best! And while attending, there's a few things I've picked up that make this sort of thing easier--especially if you're anything like me and kind of hate talking to strangers. So, whether you're an author or a reader, here's my thoughts:

• Bring cards/bookmarks/something to hand out. This is more for authors, to give out to people curious about your work, but it's also handy for when you want to share quick information. Book blogger? Get a card with your URL. It makes it much easier to find later when when you're not as busy.
• Wear that name tag. I'll admit, I'm not a big fan of walking around and flashing my name to everyone--it feels sometimes like I'm in grade school. But, it's a quick way to help remember people's names, and break the ice when you want to talk to someone new.
• Attend with a friend. I know sometimes this makes it difficult, especially if tickets are pricey, but I love being able to be there with at least someone I know well. We can discuss all the cool things we just heard in a panel, and somehow it makes it easier to approach new people. Just don't let yourselves get too sucked into each other--reach out to make new friends, too!
• Bring books! Not too many, obviously, but if you're an author, have a copy or two on hands to sell/give away. If you're a reader, have books to get signed!
• Remember to recharge. For me, this means I take some time to myself when I need it, and also I end up drinking a lot of caffeine (helps with talking to new people, for me at least ;). Get something tasty to eat, and if you can, find some other conference goers to chat with about the interesting things you've seen so far!

I am sure there are plenty of other great tips out there--these are just my personal ones that help me navigate the fun and craziness of a giant conference :)

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How about you? What's your favorite conference attendance tip?