NI14 Crash CourseHow to Make the Most of the Net Impact Conference

October 22, 2014

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Agenda

1. How to define YOUR personal conference goals

2. How to customize your schedule to achieve your

goals

3. How to rock at networking & the expo

4. How to come prepared (Pre-conference checklist)

5. Questions

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Your Goals

(in 2 Questions)

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Question 1

Why are you attending?

Explore career directions?

Build your network?

Searching for a job?

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Question 2

What do you want to walk away with?

1-2 clear passion areas to pursue in next

career move?

10 great contacts for informational interviews

and job hunting?

Deepened knowledge on 3 key topics in

your field?

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Building your

schedule

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What’s happening at NI14?L

earn

ing • Sessions

• Keynotes

• Boot Camps

• Off-Site Tours N

etw

ork

ing • Expo

• Meetups

• Mentor Office Hours

• Networking Salons

So

cia

lizin

g • No-host Dinners

• Receptions

• Happy Hours

• Meals & Coffee Breaks

Icons credit: Freepik

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WHOA…

(we think so too!)

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Step 1: Understand your options

Visit

ni14.pathable.com

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Step 2: Prioritize

Keeping your goals in mind, select the

sessions and events you most want to attend.

Check out Net Impact’s Conference

Navigator for personalized tips based on

your “archetype”

Icons credit: Freepik

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Pro Tip: Be flexible

Plan ahead, but be willing to go with

the flow at the Conference

Add several options to your Pathable schedule for any given time

ID only 3-5 “must-attend” events based on your goals

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Pro Tip: Think beyond session titles

What topics do I

care about?

What learning

experiences do I want?

TRACKS & TAGS FORMATS

Energy

efficiency!

Sustainable

Food!

Social

Entrepreneurship!

Workshops

Networking Salons

Speed Solos

Panels

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Pro Tip: Remember “Recess”

Don’t forget to build in time to rest and

recharge

Casual conversations in the hallway

can be just as meaningful as

inspirational words from famous

keynotes

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Networking 101

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Get yourself ready

Practice introducing yourself

Personal elevator pitch + variations

Business cards

Icons credit: Freepik

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Do some research

• Research a handful of people you’d be particularly

thrilled to meet

• Reach out on social media or Pathable (optional)

• Do some digging into their company and recent

news so you can jump to substantive conversation

when you meet in-person

Icons credit: Freepik

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Pro Tip: Keep it real

Networking is about building relationships.

Can I

have a

job?

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Pro Tip: Stay open to opportunity

Who are you sitting next to?

• A new friend?

• A future colleague?

• A thought leader or influencer?

• A connector who can introduce you to

the right people?

• A potential coach or mentor?

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Pro Tip: Make a plan to follow up

Mark your calendar NOW for:

• Follow-up emails following the

conference

• Follow-up conversations and

informational interviews

Icons credit: Freepik

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Pro Tip: Make Follow-Up Easy

Got someone’s business card?

Jot a few notes on the back!

Icons credit: Freepik

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Expo 101

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Before the Conference

• Do your research: Who’s coming?

• Prioritize: Who do you most want to talk to?

• Go deep: For priority exhibitors…

• Research the company and prepare intelligent questions

• Customize your “pitch” and even resume

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Pro Tip: Avoid the #1 Expo Mistake

The biggest mistake

you can make at the

Expo is to only talk to

recruiting companies

and organizations.

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Pro Tip: Time it Right

For more 1:1 conversation, attend

when the expo’s least busy!

• Less busy during sessions

• More busy during meals & breaks

Lots of talking happens here:

Exhibitors are probably more fresh

at the start of the day.

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Treat it like a relationship

Genuine conversation

Interesting questions

Follow up!

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Your Pre-Conference

Checklist

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Your pre-conference checklistP

lan • Define your

(measurable!) conference goals

• Discover the many sessions & events on Pathable; complete the Conference Navigator quiz

• Prioritize 3-5 must-attend events while adding plenty of other options (and free time) to your schedule!

• Register for any events which require registration (only boot camps, site visits, no-host dinners)

Pre

pa

re

• Practice your quick introduction and elevator pitch(es)

• Identify your priority Expo companies and do some research

• Strike up a virtual conversation on Twitter or LinkedIn with people you want to meet

• Download the LinkedIn and Twitter apps to your phone; Add Pathable to your home screen

• Book time after the conference for follow-up emails and conversations

Pa

ck • Business cards

(make them for free if you don't have them!)

• Resume (a few hard copies)

• A pen for jotting reminders on back of business cards, and a notebook for recording your reflections and ideas

• Comfortable shoes for 3 days of exploring!

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Questions?