1. Determine what you want to accomplish by attending an event—are you looking for clients, wanting to pitch an idea, seeking feedback, trying to develop your network, or looking to learn more from speakers in a given field?
2. Search for conferences in your area.
3. Talk to university departments to learn more about preferred conferences.
4. Reach out to local Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter communities in your field to find out which conferences members like to attend.
5. Ask if your department has funds set aside for conference attendance.
6. Find out if you can gain free or discounted entry for your participation in panels, lectures, or other volunteer opportunities.
7. Prep your business cards.
8. If you have a service or product to sell, ask about vendor opportunities.
9. Connect with other attendees before the conference to set up meetings for potential partnerships.
10. Invite a friend to join you.
11. Set goals that will encourage you to connect with other attendees and learn about topics that matter most to you.
12. Look at the schedule in advance to choose which breakout sessions or classes you want to attend.
13. Create and practice your elevator pitch—a thirty-second introduction of who you are and the value you can provide.