Milestone: this is my first blog entry using my i pad. I got a keyboard and decided to give it a whirl. This works really well! Without further adieu...
I have been going to medical conferences regularly for the last 3 years. They are great venues for learning about our field and networking. In an effort to provide an observational take on networking at a conference (without sounding haughty) there are several things that, I think really work well for "meaningful" networking. Hit the jump for examples
1. You will always run into colleauges of whom you have varying levels of acquaintance. When you stop to say hello and chit-chat look them in the eye. Try to avoid the "let-me-look-around-to-see-who-else-is-here." We all do this and there is nothing wrong with it (imagine you are in exhibit hall and people are coming at you from all directions, you kind of need to look around just to make sure you are not in the way of pedestrian traffic), just be aware...
2. Extricating yourself (non-awkwardly). You see friends, you talk and then you move on. You meet people trying to pitch ideas, you listen and then you move on.
Keep your conversation focused and learn to recognize
a) when someone is in a hurry
b) when the conversation is slowing down.
Don't be afraid to wrap it up when things slow down. Its not personal, everyone has places to go and other people to talk to. Say "Great to see you, but I gotta run." Most likely, they are thinking the same thing.
Also if you are going to stop talking to person A to talk to person B, don't be afraid to let person A know you have to end the talk. They won't take it personally if you are respectful. Again, everyone is busy.
3. Introduce colleagues. It doesn't matter who they are. They were brave enough to interrupt a conversation to say hello...INTRODUCE THEM. So what, the two might not ever talk again, but you never know.
4. Should I or shouldn't I say "hi". YES YOU SHOULD SAY HI! What is the worst thing that can happen? They don't remember you? Most of the time it is someone you respect, interviewed with, or ultimately helped you achieve something. Use the opportunity to re-introduce yourself, state your thankfulness and then move on. More times than not, they will engage you. If not, you can re-iterate your praise and then extricate yourself.
5. Organizing a meal. Invariably you will want to organize a meal with colleagues some of whom you know real well and others very casually. Don't forget this involves transportation and oftentimes reservations. So be sensitive. Be cautious of the following scenario: while waiting for everyone in the hotel lobby, your party of five becomes a party of 8, transportation issues then change...and then someone says "Oh wait, we have to walk - I'm not going" or "There is only enough room in the cab for 6." So then you get to the restaurant and your party of 6 is there, the hostess begrudgingly accomodates your increase in party size becuase you did not notify in advance (and if you are lucky and not going somewhere popular), ONLY to then give you the death stare when the remaining two people bring 2 more people who happened to be walking through the lobby with no dinner plans and were "invited to dinner"
So at this point, the intimate group of 5 is now a half-clique-half random group of 10 people and an uncomfortable decision about expanding the table vs the late-comers sitting adjacent at a separate table or going somewhere completely different ensues. Don't worry it is only temporarily awkward.
There are probably many more examples...but just some observations...Conferences are a great place for networking to take advantage of your attendance to develop meaningful professional (and personal) friends. This is by no means a complete list, just my observations and experiences. Please feel free to comment.
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