So, UKOUG Tech and EBS 2009 Conference was the first conference I’ve ever been to. I headed out to it full of nerves over whether I’d get lost, have the right materials to take notes with, etc, so I thought I’d write a list of things I’d do differently next year. It may come in handy for next year’s first-timers, who knows?!
So, for my next UKOUG conference, I will:
- make plans as to when to meet up with people I know, if they’re also going to be attending, especially for lunch and in the evenings
- compare agendas with said people
- talk to my optician re. what I can do to make it easier to see the slides; different glasses just for the long distance viewing, maybe?
- make sure I have plenty of ibuprofen and paracetamol at hand, just in case!
- pick up the conference goody-bag prior to my first presentation – do this by making sure you go round the entire exhibition hall, as this time, they were handed out at the very back!
- not worry about having to buy a separate notebook; one is included in the conference goody-bag
- try not to fill every available slot with a presentation; it will be information overload!
- try to get enough sleep!
- be prepared to be overwhelmed and try to take it in step when that happens
- make much more effort to overcome my shyness and *talk* to more people, and especially the people I have talked to online that I really want to say hi to!
Things that I already did which turned out to be really good ideas:
- wear comfortable shoes
- read (and comment on!) lots of blogs throughout the year from different people (to a) gain a wider perspective and b) get familiar with the wider Oracle community)
- become friends with someone who has been to previous conferences and knows a few of the regular attendees
- come prepared to learn
- follow the signs to the halls and pay attention to the most excellent and helpful ICC staff!
- explore the area before the conference starts
- Twitter like mad and use the appropriate hash tags! This is a useful means of introducing yourself to other conference attendees and also the wider Oracle community *{;-)
- work out what sessions you’re going to attend prior to the conference start; having a plan of action for the day in advance helps a lot!
- be prepared to enjoy yourself!
All in all, I had a great time and I learnt a lot. I also met lots of people that I’d never dreamed I would actually meet, and hopefully have begun broadening my network of contacts!
I would wholly recommend attending the UKOUG Tech and EBS Conference, and would happily go again next year, I get the opportunity to go again!
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