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ISTE Conference Tips for Newbies
Filed Under (Uncategorized) by Beth Still on 26-05-2010
I am writing a series of posts for ISTE conference newbies and I need some help for ideas. I have written about the dress code and how to use the conference planner. I am currently working on a post about how to manage all of the various social events. What am I missing? What else to “newbies” need to know to make the most of their time at ISTE? Would one on how to get around during the conference be useful?
18 Responses to “ISTE Conference Tips for Newbies”
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May 26th, 2010 at 9:42 p
I have so many questions about going to my first ISTE that I’m not even sure where to start! Perhaps we should start an “Ask Beth” column!!
One topic that’s come up in various conversations is how to get more newbies to stop by the Blogger’s Cafe. I’m sure I’m not the only newbie who will feel more than a little intimidated about just walking in and striking up a conversation with people. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
May 26th, 2010 at 12:24 p
Karen,
Start an “Ask Beth” column…I love it! I also love ISTE and this conference. Perhaps it is my passion for it that drives my desire to help as many people get as much as they can out of the conference. I have heard so many people inquire about the Bloggers’ Cafe that I am going to write a separate post about it. You are definitely not the only person, newbie or not, who feels intimidated by the cafe.
May 26th, 2010 at 9:46 p
I’m going to ISTE as a newbie, and also going alone. I won’t know a single person, so looking forward to hopefully meeting new people, networking and finding something social to do. Thanks for your tips!
May 26th, 2010 at 10:10 p
How about an exhibit hall strategy. ISTE needs vendors to help support the conference, and vendors need attendees to stop by. But for newbies it can be overwhelming. Perhaps a strategy where you take an hour for a drive-by – no stopping; then later another hour to visit the handful of vendors that caught your eye or you have a particular interest in learning more about. Maybe there are other strategies?
May 26th, 2010 at 10:37 p
I would pick a theme. Do they want to learn about podcasting, leadership, web 2.0 tools, etc. There is so much there that a newbie needs to focus..
May 26th, 2010 at 12:27 p
Thanks for the comment, but I would disagree on one point. I think everyone needs to have a focus, not just newbies. My post on navigating the ISTE planner should help people focus on a particular theme. I find it an invaluable tool as I am planning what sessions to attend.
May 26th, 2010 at 12:03 p
Do not schedule back to back sessions. They can potentially be far away and you will ge tfrustrated if you get there in time and the room is full.
Take the time to absorb what you have just heard. Talk with some others in the room or in the hallway ans ask how they plan to implememt what they have heard.
Vote with your feet. If what you start to hear is not what you want, need or expect, walk out then head somewhere else to be first in the next session you want to attend or go visit the bloggers cafe.
Go to the bloggers cafe to get info, ask questions, meet people you have only known online or just relax.
Have fun!
Paul Wood
@paulrwood
May 26th, 2010 at 12:37 p
Paul,
I cannot agree more with the idea of voting with your feet. Time at ISTE is precious and you should not waste it by sitting through a session that does not meet your needs. Each session states the skill level of the intended audience which helps people attend sessions that match their abilities. Many of the sessions are aimed at beginners which intermediate and advanced users will probably not find very useful. Reading the session description helps, too.
May 26th, 2010 at 12:10 p
One of the things I had not taken into account was a business card with my blog and twitter address on it. I got some really great and inventive cards at the first ISTE I attended, while mine were pretty plain. Some people make up new cards just for the conference using Vista print or other free card places. I found that placing an address label on the back of my existing school business card with my blog and twitter info worked great.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:28 p
I second Cindy’s request. I am also a newbie, going by myself. Where are the best places to jump in and meet new people? My PLN is in its baby stages at this point– I’d love to leave ISTE with a solid list of contacts.
May 26th, 2010 at 7:44 p
My two cents:
- Blogger’s Cafe!!! This is the place to ask questions. I attended last year for the 1st time and walked up to everyone and say “Hi, my name is Colette – I’d like to meet you” and it worked. I asked a lot of questions, asked for recommendations of sessions to visit, and made an extra to connect with those who were there — and it was my best conference experience ever!
- Tag along. I went to lunch and two social events with people I barely knew – but that’s the thing – most people are super friendly and welcomed me. The plus side is the next day I would walk into a session and see someone from the evening before and I sat by them and talked some more. Plus many vendor offer “freebies” – munchies, social events, etc..
-Start following people now on Twitter who use the #ISTE10 hashtag. Most people will tweet during the conference and you will be able to follow “what’s happening”.
- Meet Beth Still. She is awesome and seems to know everyone!
May 27th, 2010 at 9:55 p
Colette-
Last year was your first time attending? NO WAY!!! It seemed like you knew everyone! One of my favorite memories from DC was having dinner with you and the gang.
I agree with your assessment of the Bloggers’ Cafe. That is the place to be if you want to just hang out and visit. The people in the cafe are always welcoming to everyone. I’m looking forward to seeing you and so many other people soon!
May 27th, 2010 at 7:55 p
Hi Beth, I am hoping that the conf sessions are arranged so sessions in the same strand, thread, concept, topic, etc. are physically located near one another. For example, if I want to see all the sessions under the Web 2.0 umbrella, they should all be within brief walking distance from one another. Having to trek back and forth from one end of a convention center to other is not pleasant…especially if it physically hurts you.
Otherwise as a newbie at the conference I need to know about: transportation to from hotels and around Denver, lunch (I don’t see a lunch time slot?), getting around the conv center, if there is a place to sit and try out new technologies (some kind of demo area – possibly non-vendor specific), if the ISTE web site is complete (only 2 keynotes listed, 1 social event, etc.), if there are any lab sessions we can just walk into w/o pre-reg. All I can think of right now and I’m not sure these warrant a full blog post. Maybe an FAQ section?
Thanks!
May 28th, 2010 at 9:57 p
Thought of something else, Beth. Will each session at ISTE be Twitter hashtag specific? I am envisioning thousands of tweets during the event with the ISTE10 hashtag. If I want to read tweets from just specific sessions I miss, that will be really challenging either during or post-conference (and frankly too time consuming for me to really try to organize and sort through).
How about hashtags for each session based on room or presenter initials? #iste10ccc702 or #iste10still
I’m king of thinking out loud here and wondering what the twitter stream is going to look like during those days. Is there a way to organize some of that chaos for post-conference followup or for those attending virtually through tweets?
May 28th, 2010 at 10:48 p
Excellent question. I would recommend that each presenter creates an official tag for their session and put it on the page for their presentation as well as on the screen at the front of the room at the start of the session. I like the idea about using the last name of the presenters initials. I also think it might work to use the conference ID as well. For example, the panel I am on would be #iste10/48660334. The problem is getting the word out for everyone to do the same thing!
May 28th, 2010 at 5:50 p
I “knew” a ton of people through Twitter before NECC09 last year – so show up and meeting everyone face-to-face was like going to my high school reunion. Fun, a little nervous – with comments like, “you do (or do not) look like your Twitter avatar!
June 8th, 2011 at 9:44 p
best tip I can give is wear comfy shoes. My girlfriend at that time decided to wear these 4-inch stilettos and after a long day at the conference, couldn’t walk for literally a week.
June 23rd, 2011 at 2:17 p
But remember to also not to go too casual. This is still a professional conference and there are strict dress codes.