Conference Hack

Business and travel tips for people attending conferences, tradeshows, conventions, and meetups

conference hotel

Map Out the Conference in Advance

by

Get the show map and cruise the conference area to know where things are and be ready to go on the first morning (or the day before if you arrive early enough).

Confused guy can't find where to go at the conference

Go through the agenda, so you can figure out where to go for cocktail parties, roundtable discussions, meals, coffee breaks, etc.

Do a dry run and get oriented with the locations of the rooms in relation to the elevators, lobby, your room, etc.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard from people who were complaining about being perpetually lost at a conference hotel. Don’t waste your time like them.

Stay in the Conference Hotel

by

Conferences will often have a group rate at a hotel for attendees, whether the event is taking place in the hotel or a local convention center.

There are a number of benefits to booking in the conference hotel, and it’s important to book as early as you can, so you don’t risk the spots filling up.

Missy Ward at the New York Marriott Marquis

You can’t beat the convenience when the sleeping rooms are in the same building as the conference. It’s always nice to have your things an elevator away if you forget something.

Also, big concentrations of conference attendees stay at the hotel, so they tend to hang out there after hours, as well as for coffee in the morning.

This is when so much of the quality networking happens because you have a good chance to make serendipitous connections in the lobby, bar, restaurant, elevator, etc.

Matthew Lesko and Hunter Boyle at Affiliate Summit

Wherever you decide to say, print out (in case your phone dies) your hotel name, address, and confirmation, so you know where to go when you land (some cities have many hotels from the same chain in different locations), and you can limit issues at check-in.

Plan to Wake Early, Stay Late at Conferences

by

I wouldn’t typically advise you to skimp on sleep and run yourself ragged, but it’s tough to avoid it at a conference.

Burning a candle at both ends

You’re in a city with a large bunch of industry folks, way more than you can talk to while you’re there, so it can be worth it to sacrifice time in the fluffy hotel bed. Don’t sleep away opportunities.

Also, a lot of the best relationship building takes place in the informal settings after hours in the conference hotel bar(s) and lobby.

So, burn the candle at both ends for a few days. Get some sleep, stay hydrated, and don’t skip meals, but plan to take advantage of the temporary opportunities that are there for you.