A Closing Word: 10 Tips for Getting the Most From a Professional Conference ( Part 2)

6. Comfort is important: Rooms at hotels and convention centers are usually kept cold to accommodate the sudden shift of hundreds (or even thousands) of people in a brief time. Bring a sweater with you so that if you are chilly, you can warm up. In addition, pack some snacks in your bag so that if you miss a meal or do not like the food that is served, then you can make it until dinner.

7. Take care of those who take care of you: When you travel, there are many people who make your life a lot easier, so be sure to tip them when the service is good. This applies to bellmen that help you with your bags, shuttle and taxi drivers, and maids. Take several small bills with you before you leave home so you will have them available. The art of tipping is beyond the scope of this article, but several online resources are available that discuss the usual amounts of tips.

8. Be respectful to your colleagues and to the speakers: Most speakers are genuinely excited to be presenting their ideas to a group. Some speakers are relatively inexperienced, whereas others speak routinely. Cell phones and side conversations make it difficult for others to hear and for the speaker to concentrate. In my opinion, it is rude to the speaker to get up and leave in the middle of the presentation. If you think you might need to leave early, then sit at the back of the room and leave quietly. Again, review the handouts ahead of time if possible to know what the session is about.

9. Stay organized during the conference: It is easy to get into "information overload" during a conference. Sometimes, we come away with lots of notes, ideas, and enthusiasm only to find them sitting in the conference bag 3 months later. Try to keep a pad of paper with you all the time and organize the pages into categories like "resources to obtain," "things to follow up on," "people to contact," and so on. Add items to each of these pages throughout the conference. When you return, these pages remind you of what you want to do with the information you gathered at the conference.

10. Spread the enthusiasm and share what you learned: When you return home, tell your fellow staff about the conference. Share pictures that you took. Consider giving a brief presentation at a staff meeting about a new idea or treatment strategy you learned about. The enthusiasm that you had in the moment can continue if you talk about it.