What should a conference newbie bring to make the most out of their first conference?

Question

I am planning to attend my first developer conference (Microsoft TechDays 2008 in Toronto). I have been looking around for suggestions so that I can prepare and make the most out of my first developer conference. Many articles make suggestions about asking questions, getting involved, being social. These are great! I am also wondering about physical items. I have seen many conference photos with most of the audience having their laptops. Are they just taking notes? Are they working on a problem during the session? Are these photos just during a break and everyone is catching up on blogs/email/outside contact?

Thank you StackOverflow-ers (StackOverflow-ites?)

Answer 1

Business cards -- fast way to trade contact info with folks you'll want to keep in touch with.

(Also required by many vendor booths to get free toys.)

Answer 2

Your brain, some business cards, and a laptop (to try out the new things you learn).

Answer 3

I personally like going lo-tech legal pad and a pen. Comfortable clothes. I find that to get the most out of any conference session its best to be void of distractions. Also meal breaks are great opportunities to mingle and network with fellow attendees.

Answer 4

If you can, research what is going to be shown in the conference and plan ahead. It is a lot easier if you know what sessions you need to be add before the event. Knowning what sessions and speaker you would really enjoy is important.

Answer 5

I've only been to one developer conference: Microsoft TechEd, and they handed out backpacks with note paper, pens, etc. So you should be covered on that front -- I assume that's fairly standard with those sort of conferences.

The best advice I can give is just to pay attention during the sessions -- a laptop would only distract me, so I wouldn't bother with one myself. The slides for a session will often be available afterwards (TechEd provides them online after the conference is over), so you may not need to worry too much about note taking (but obviously do it if it helps you to remember).

Apart from that, get out and network as much as you can between the sessions.

Answer 6

I take a laptop, an open mind, and plenty of rest or caffeine. Keep the laptop closed during sessions but use it at night to try out and gain understanding of what you saw during the day.

Your goal should be to increase your knowledge of what you don't know!

Consider that you assume have 3 categories of knowledge:

1. what you know,
2. what you know you don't know, and
3. what you don't know you don't know.

You want to move things from 3->2 at the conferences. Focus on 3->2, because you can always use books, internet, etc. to go 2->1, but going 3->2 is hard to do in daily work life. That next library, pattern, or technology may revolutionize how you do what you do each day.

Answer 7

• I also highly recommend low-tech pen and paper for notes, but I would suggest you bring your own pad of paper. Also I would suggest you get a four color pen to take notes in. Having multi colored notes really helps your memory, plus people think it is novel and will talk to you about it. The four colored pen is better then a colored pen set as it is easier to keep track of. If you tend to loose pens then buy two!
• If you want to keep up on email and blogs then bring a laptop, but you will be lugging it and hunting for power outlets the whole time. Many conferences have a computer lab you can use in a pinch. If you are planning to live blog the event then a laptop is your only choice, but you may need additional batteries!
• A digital camera. You might meet your idle there and need a picture with him. Most likely you will end up at some crazy party and want to take some pictures of yourself with your new friends.
• Business cards are good too. You can make some yourself for under $10 usually. Just go to an office supply store and get the Avery business card paper. Might be worth having two sets - one for the booths (knowing you will get contacted by a sales person) and one for all the cool people you will hang with.
• Good shoes! You will be walking a lot.
• Pack light - you will need that extra space in your luggage to haul SWAG home (are you flying in?)
• They may give you a new bag at the conference, but it doesn't hurt to bring a good bag with you too. If nothing else you can fill it with swag for the trip home.

Answer 8

Like with programming, turn the issue around and ask "what can I do without?". Travelling light is a skill to learn; many programmers seem to be waaaaay too analytical about packing their stuff. I've been that way. Travelling light is a bliss. :)

p.s. take the credit card, tooth brush, cash for coffee.

Answer 9

Eye contact. Smile at everyone, every time someone slows down in your vicinity ask them how it's going, what the best thing they've seen is, etc.

I've been teaching at conferences for almost 20 years now (Software Development, Game Developer's Conference, You Name It World, etc.). I think EVERY good speaker knows that it's in the hallway conversations where the greatest value is shared. (Hopefully the lectures spark worthwhile conversations...) It KILLS me when I see people in between lectures and their heads are down in their laptops.

Answer 10

Check out the Conferences for Beginners talk that Jim Brandt and I put together. Some of it is particular to Perl conferences, but most of it is good advice for any conference.