Tips for the 1st time ISPI conference attendee

1. by Eboni DuBose
Attending Your 1st ISPI Conference
Here are some TIPS for SUCCESS that helped ME

2. The BIG IDEA
On the LinkedIn ISPI-Global discussion group,
ISPI Global
Amy Carr posed this question
What advice do you have for a first‐time THE Performance
Improvement Conference attendee?
I d love to hear from those of you who have attended conference
I'd love to hear from those of you who have attended conference
and what you like about it, what are the do‐not‐miss events
(since there are quite a few to choose from!), and how to set up
a schedule to learn as much as I can. Thanks so much!
I decided to use ISPI member responses and then
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created a resource for other newbies to use

3. Tip # 1
Study the Conference Program in advance and
start to map out “your plan”.
This really helped me maximize my time. ISPI was great
about putting the workshop descriptions online and I was
able to map out my plan before the conference but I did
deviate from my plan a little (one topic that wasn’t under my
radar before REALLY caught my interest later)
Eboni DuBose, Boise State University, Instructional and
Performance Technology Masters Candidate and ISPI‐Student
member

4. Tip #2
ATTEND EVERYTHING
EVERYTHING.
-TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY
It’s YOUR money. You came to learn, transform, and get
expert advice. SEIZE The moment..

5. Tip #3
Introduce yourself to everyone
NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK. You are there to meet
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people. The best part of the conference is CONVERSATIONS.
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This is OUR community of practice. This is the moment to talk
to people who share our passions! (While you’re washing
hands at the bathroom , say HI. This is how I met Erica Keeps
(wife of Harry Stolovitch).
(wife of Harry Stolovitch)

6. Tip #4
Bring plenty of business cards and hand
them out freely
This is a must! Some people will say business cards are of the
past and that we are in the electronics age..SORRY, it is still
t d th t i th l t i SORRY it i till
professional courtesy and is the number one way for people to
have others remember your info. VistaPrint is always running
sales and I even got mine with my photo on it
g yp

7. Tip #5
Write down the little tidbits of information on
the back of business card to help you
remember your new connections once you
get home.
You will be meeting so many people that you will need a
“memory jogger” on the back of the business card. Also it
“ j ” h b k f h b i d Al i
helps you personalize your LinkedIn request when you get
back home instead of just saying “I’d like to add you to my
LinkedIn network”. You can add parts of your conversation.
p y

8. Tip #6
Find a buddy or buddies to connect with
while there if you can
Make a FRIEND. If you are going by yourself, try and find
some new people who are by themselves too (they are easy to
spot, they are using SITTING BY THEMSELVES). As Tip #3 said
“introduce yourself to everyone”, you never know what new,
COOL people you will meet. New people will definitely be
COOL people you will meet New people will definitely be
attending “Introduction to PI” and “Speed Mentoring Session”

9. Tip #7
Check out and attend the 3rd Annual Speed
Mentoring session
It's t f j t "emerging" professionals - it' for anyone new t ISPI.
It' not for just " i " f i l it's f to
Imagine SPEED DATING but with better luck. You get 3 rounds to
sit down for 15 minutes with seasoned HPT experts and ask any
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questions you want. You can then exchange business cards and
continue the conversation on throughout the conference and after.
You will have access to mentor bios before the conference; use it to
map out who you want to talk to.
map out who you want to talk to

10. Tip #8
Volunteer to be on an ISPI committee
committee.
ISPI definitely has volunteer opportunities. No , they are not
BEATING you over the head to volunteer but think about it this way.
Through volunteering you get the opportunity to
Use and expand your professional skills and knowledge.
Build relationships within the professional community.
Strengthen the field by strengthening the organization which best
g f y g g g
represents the field.
Remember it’s not WHAT you know , it’s WHO you know and your
volunteering could be the opportunity that gets you a future job.

11. Tip #9
Have FUN.
Remember, it’s 4 days away from your job, school, stress, etc.
Enjoy being in a new city surrounded by the best in the HPT field,
Enjoy being in a new city surrounded by the best in the HPT field
and they are all at your FINGERTIPS. Oh and yes, you will be tired
but it will be a GOOD tired! Remember you are now a STORY
TELLER, go forth and spread the knowledge you have learned back
TELLER go forth and spread the knowledge you have learned back
to your organizations, your teams, and your friends. See you next
year!!
Interested in more tips check out the discussion
on Linked In http://linkd in/dG7g5Y (must join the ISPI-Global group)
http://linkd.in/dG7g5Y

12. THANK YOU ISPI MEMBERS
FOR PROVIDING SUCH THOUGHTFUL TIPS
Lisa Toenniges Guy Wallace Maurie Coleman Ann Battenfield
Scott Rooke James Perry Lori Kane