We understand that it can be quite a daunting thing to attend an event, particularly if it’s your first time coming to one, so here is a handy list of dos and don’ts that we think will help you make a good impression at the ACT Smart Cash conference in London on 8-9 February 2017.
DO wear your name badge at all times. It’s for security – yours. Name badges help delegates to identify people at six paces that they’d rather avoid.
DO NOT look at or hold up your own name badge when introducing yourself to people. It makes you look like a gate crasher who’s forgotten who you’re supposed to be.
DO bring as many business cards as you can. LinkedIn is all great and wonderful, but you’ll need to swap business cards in order to remember who it is you want to connect with on LinkedIn afterwards.
DO remember to plonk a business card in every exhibitor’s ‘prize draw’ goldfish bowl. Goodness knows, you’re bound to win something, eventually.
DO rehearse getting out of tedious conversations by saying convincingly: “Excuse me, I’ve just seen someone I’ve been trying to catch up with all day.”
DO NOT get offended if someone says to you: “Excuse me, I’ve just seen someone I’ve been trying to catch up with all day.” Consider yourself as having had a lucky escape.
DO remember to collect all the fluffy toys, gadgets and stress balls available from the exhibitors’ stands, especially if you have small children at home.
DO ask questions in conference sessions. You’re not the only person in the room wishing somebody would ask that question – so be that person: ask the question.
DO NOT tap the mic, blow into it and ask: “Is this thing working?” It is – as every deafened delegate in your conference session will now grimly attest.
DO practise beforehand the ancient art of balancing a lunch plate, a drink, some cutlery, a napkin and your conference bag, all while shaking hands, exchanging business cards and introducing yourself to another treasurer just as you’ve taken a large mouthful of smoked Scottish trout.
DO NOT plonk your business card in any goldfish bowl that contains actual goldfish.
DO come over to the ACT stand if you’re struggling to find someone to talk to, there’ll be someone from the ACT there happy to have a chat with you – even if it’s to tell us about your cat.
DON’T be shy about telling us what you think about the event – we appreciate all feedback, good or bad – it’s the only way we can improve and deliver content you need!
Did you know?
All ACT members and students are entitled to the BEST rates available to ALL of our events.
This applies to our next event, Smart Cash, which will be taking place in London on 8-9 February and is the largest event in Europe that is focused solely on cash management. Find out more here.
Adapted from the original article in The Treasurer by Andrew Sawers