Maximizing The ROI of Your Conference Participation: Delegate Edition

You’ve just received a pass from your company to attend an industry-leading conference. There will be tons of clients and prospects in attendance. How do you make the most of your time on-the-ground?

As a conference delegate, there are a number of actions to take before, during and after the conference to maximize your firm’s ROI and show up most effectively.

Here are a few social media and networking tips to get started:

As soon as you learn you are attending 

• Consider engaging Prosek’s Conference Concierge (CC) practice for bespoke meeting requests, insight on private events and attendees and high-level conference strategy
• If you’re a spokesperson for your firm, inform your PR and communications team of your attendance to explore setting up on-site media meetings and interviews
• Align with your marketing team on a potential strategy to promote your attendance at the event from your firm’s corporate LinkedIn page
• Post to your personal LinkedIn page ahead of the event to let people know you are eager to set up on-site meetings (with compliance approval, of course)
• Reach out to your network to ask about any private dinners or receptions happening alongside the conference (or engage CC to do this on your behalf!)

2-3 weeks before

• Review the attendee list (if provided) and identify priority meetings
• Determine whether to meet with clients/prospects 1:1 or in an informal group setting (e.g., hosted drinks or onsite meals)
• Utilize resources like the networking app to book meetings
• Review the agenda and identify which sessions you will attend
• Confirm your participation at any private dinners or receptions, if applicable
• Confirm meetings and interviews with on-site media, if applicable
• Research and prepare for any meetings scheduled with media, clients and prospects
• Delegate someone from the team to take photos and high-level notes (and remind them the day of the conference!) or be sure that you’re prepared to do the same

During the conference

• Capitalize on natural networking moments during lunches, breaks and happy hours
• Exchange contact information with anyone you meet organically and make brief notes for follow up
• Know the rules of the road for any media engagements (e.g., on- or off-the record)
• Take a variety of photos throughout the event, including candid shots and small group photos with colleagues/clients and speakers of interest

In the week following

• Report back to your PR team on how your media meetings went, if applicable
• Connect with contacts on LinkedIn and follow up with anyone you met on-site, either spontaneously or via pre-organized meetings
• Publish social posts to help position your firm as an industry leader, making sure to use relevant tags and hashtags to extend the reach of your posts
• Monitor your social channels and engage with posts from your firm, the conference organizers and fellow delegates
• Request presentations or other relevant materials from event organizers (can be helpful reference points)

Attending a conference can massively benefit your investor or client acquisition and raise your professional profile. When done correctly, preparing your networking and social media strategy in advance will yield exponential results.

For more customized conference strategy and support, please ask about Prosek’s Conference Concierge offerings.

Stay tuned for upcoming editions on how to make the most of speaking and sponsorship engagements at conferences as well!