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NI14 Crash CourseHow to Make the Most of the Net Impact Conference
October 22, 2014
2
Agenda
1. How to define YOUR personal conference goals
2. How to customize your schedule to achieve your
goals
3. How to rock at networking & the expo
4. How to come prepared (Pre-conference checklist)
5. Questions
3
Your Goals
(in 2 Questions)
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Question 1
Why are you attending?
Explore career directions?
Build your network?
Searching for a job?
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Question 2
What do you want to walk away with?
1-2 clear passion areas to pursue in next
career move?
10 great contacts for informational interviews
and job hunting?
Deepened knowledge on 3 key topics in
your field?
6
Building your
schedule
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What’s happening at NI14?L
earn
ing • Sessions
• Keynotes
• Boot Camps
• Off-Site Tours N
etw
ork
ing • Expo
• Meetups
• Mentor Office Hours
• Networking Salons
So
cia
lizin
g • No-host Dinners
• Receptions
• Happy Hours
• Meals & Coffee Breaks
Icons credit: Freepik
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WHOA…
(we think so too!)
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Step 1: Understand your options
Visit
ni14.pathable.com
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Step 2: Prioritize
Keeping your goals in mind, select the
sessions and events you most want to attend.
Check out Net Impact’s Conference
Navigator for personalized tips based on
your “archetype”
Icons credit: Freepik
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Pro Tip: Be flexible
Plan ahead, but be willing to go with
the flow at the Conference
Add several options to your Pathable schedule for any given time
ID only 3-5 “must-attend” events based on your goals
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Pro Tip: Think beyond session titles
What topics do I
care about?
What learning
experiences do I want?
TRACKS & TAGS FORMATS
Energy
efficiency!
Sustainable
Food!
Social
Entrepreneurship!
Workshops
Networking Salons
Speed Solos
Panels
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Pro Tip: Remember “Recess”
Don’t forget to build in time to rest and
recharge
Casual conversations in the hallway
can be just as meaningful as
inspirational words from famous
keynotes
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Networking 101
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Get yourself ready
Practice introducing yourself
Personal elevator pitch + variations
Business cards
Icons credit: Freepik
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Do some research
• Research a handful of people you’d be particularly
thrilled to meet
• Reach out on social media or Pathable (optional)
• Do some digging into their company and recent
news so you can jump to substantive conversation
when you meet in-person
Icons credit: Freepik
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Pro Tip: Keep it real
Networking is about building relationships.
Can I
have a
job?
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Pro Tip: Stay open to opportunity
Who are you sitting next to?
• A new friend?
• A future colleague?
• A thought leader or influencer?
• A connector who can introduce you to
the right people?
• A potential coach or mentor?
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Pro Tip: Make a plan to follow up
Mark your calendar NOW for:
• Follow-up emails following the
conference
• Follow-up conversations and
informational interviews
Icons credit: Freepik
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Pro Tip: Make Follow-Up Easy
Got someone’s business card?
Jot a few notes on the back!
Icons credit: Freepik
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Expo 101
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Before the Conference
• Do your research: Who’s coming?
• Prioritize: Who do you most want to talk to?
• Go deep: For priority exhibitors…
• Research the company and prepare intelligent questions
• Customize your “pitch” and even resume
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Pro Tip: Avoid the #1 Expo Mistake
The biggest mistake
you can make at the
Expo is to only talk to
recruiting companies
and organizations.
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Pro Tip: Time it Right
For more 1:1 conversation, attend
when the expo’s least busy!
• Less busy during sessions
• More busy during meals & breaks
Lots of talking happens here:
Exhibitors are probably more fresh
at the start of the day.
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Treat it like a relationship
Genuine conversation
Interesting questions
Follow up!
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Your Pre-Conference
Checklist
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Your pre-conference checklistP
lan • Define your
(measurable!) conference goals
• Discover the many sessions & events on Pathable; complete the Conference Navigator quiz
• Prioritize 3-5 must-attend events while adding plenty of other options (and free time) to your schedule!
• Register for any events which require registration (only boot camps, site visits, no-host dinners)
Pre
pa
re
• Practice your quick introduction and elevator pitch(es)
• Identify your priority Expo companies and do some research
• Strike up a virtual conversation on Twitter or LinkedIn with people you want to meet
• Download the LinkedIn and Twitter apps to your phone; Add Pathable to your home screen
• Book time after the conference for follow-up emails and conversations
Pa
ck • Business cards
(make them for free if you don't have them!)
• Resume (a few hard copies)
• A pen for jotting reminders on back of business cards, and a notebook for recording your reflections and ideas
• Comfortable shoes for 3 days of exploring!
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Questions?
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