museumsandtheweb.com - Comments for "Tips for first-timers?"

I blogged my tips...

ryand — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 01:41:47 +0000

I blogged my tips: https://conference.archimuse.com/blog/ryand/spinni...

But I will add some additional tips below:

1. Don't be shy. By day three, when you finally engage with everyone, you'll wished you'd done it sooner. Seriously. We don't bite.

2. Yes, many of us are extending the back-channel to the bar. Sometimes, that's when we're the most productive.

3. The smokers' un-conference session meets at the nearest receptacle to the conference hotel entrance.

4. Plenty of coffee. Bring a mug, it's more eco, or, green, or whatever.

5. Any whitespace on your name badge is a perfect place for:

your twitter
an interesting fact about yourself
made-up job titles
A question you would like answered
A question you can answer

Make the effort to get to breakfast and evening events

paulrowe — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 21:05:41 +0000

The "Birds of a Feather" breakfast is a great way to meet others interested in talking about a particular topic. The informal breakfast is an easy way to get know some new people, especially if you're new to the conference.

The conference agenda is packed, so the evening events are a way to still see some of what the city has to offer and talk over the ideas from the day.

I second Ed's suggestion of going to the fitness center. The swimming pool is a nice way to give your brain a much needed break.

conference-going 101

Ed Rodley — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 20:32:41 +0000

I second MIa's and Jennifer's suggestions. It's about the people. One of the great things about MW is the Proceedings. If you miss a session, chances are you can still gather most of the content. It's not lost like a sudden conversation in a hallway.

I make it a point to go to the hotel fitness center everyday I'm at a conference. Nothing takes it out of you like sitting and talking all day. You gotta treat it more like a mountain climbing expedition. I recall one MW years ago bumping into a German colleague on the last day who looked like he'd been hit by a bus. When I asked him what was worng, he said "I am soaked ni this conference!" It really can feel that way. There are so many bright people and great ideas floating round it can really max out your receptors.

The other thing I always try to do is come up with a list of 1-3 people I don't know whom I want to meet, something I want to say to them, and then go find them and make sure I introduce myself. When you have a subject, it's always easier to launch into a conversation with a complete stranger. Try it!

don't feel you have to go to everything

jtrant — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 18:48:11 +0000

i'm still teased about saying this during an MW plenary – but i'll repeat it because it's true!

if you feel you have to choose between an interesting conversation with a new person and a session that's starting, choose the conversation.

being at MW is about the people. if you're a bit late for the session, the paper and the presentation will be online: you can catch up on what you missed. but if you walk away from that conversation, who knows.... maybe that could have been the collaboration that will change ...

you get the idea!

what other conference chair advises you not to go to the sessions?

/jennifer

The more you put into it, the more you get out of it

mia — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:44:54 +0000

That's what I should have said, and it would have saved on verbiage.

My other tip is that probably everyone feels slightly overwhelmed at some point, and that's ok. Take a break to recharge, then come back and enjoy the ride...

Backup batteries

rjurban — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:36:14 +0000

A few years ago I picked up an external battery for my iPhone in order to keep going through the night. While I could usually get through the day on the internal battery, I was often left unconnected as we rolled into the evening when finding a plug (at receptions, etc.) is hard. The backup battery gave me the power to keep rolling throughout the evening.

Sorry I won't be at the MW in my home-town, please give http://www.monkscafe.com/ my love.