Comments on: Suggestions for optimizing the conference experience?

By: Clark

Clark — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 15:44:01 +0000

Thanks for the feedback. I intended to suggest being a contributor by being active in sessions, but you put a whole new twist on it, which I’ll reflect. And blogging/twittering the sessions is a good idea, too. I thought twitter was briefer thoughts, but it could be valuable in terms of both capturing the thoughts and reflecting on them. Again, thanks!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:59:29 +0000

I just wanted to second Laura’s suggestion about Twittering/Blogging. I twittered the general sessions at Learning 2007 and it worked out quite nicely for me. I hope to Twitter the general sessions at TK08 as well, and have just set up my blog to post a digest of my Twitters once a day.
I’d also say, don’t be scared to ask questions. I know that’s Tony’s thing, but it goes for outside of sessions as well. Last year at TK08, I asked questions in sessions. People would then stop me in the halls to ask me questions about, well, my questions. So don’t discount informal networking, esp for folks new to a big conference.
Finally, get involved. For my sessions (and I assume the Learning Labs as well) at TK08, my co-presenter and I are offering a wiki. This is a fantastic way to continue the conversation – if people use it. ASTD is also offering ASTD Connect, but few people seem to be using it. These are great tools to use for learning and networking, but they need to be used.

By: Laura

Laura — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 21:20:31 +0000

I would say twitter and/or blog the conference sessions so that you’ll be able to look up resources as you talk AND others who can’t attend that session will have the benefit of your notes plus insights!

By: Clark

Clark — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 20:25:24 +0000

Jane, thanks for that. I wonder if one exception to the rule about splitting up (which I agree with) would be if one of two is new to the team and it can be a time for creating some shared understandings.

By: Jane Bozarth

Jane Bozarth — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 14:13:08 +0000

1. If you are fortunate enough to work for an organization sending a group to the conference, use the “divide and conquer”
strategy. Split up and go to different sessions rather than stay together. This will not only give you access to
more topics and speakers, but will give you an opportunity later to provide a recap in your own words– that will
help the information stick.
2. READ the session descriptions!