The document provides information and tips for attending the Net Impact Conference from October 27-29, 2011 in Portland, Oregon. It outlines the schedule, recommends arriving on Thursday and staying through Saturday, and provides information on travel, lodging, reimbursement, and preparations. The preparations section emphasizes networking, having business cards and an elevator pitch ready, researching speakers and companies in advance, and being strategic in selecting sessions. Tips are given to print the agenda in advance, identify key sessions of interest, use breaks to network, and connect with speakers before and after their sessions.

1. NET IMPACT
CONFERENCE
PREP SESSION
OCTOBER 6, 2011

2. WHEN
 Register and kick-off: Thursday evening (10/27)
 Not necessary but helpful if you’re in town
 First session: 9:00 AM Friday (10/28)
 Try to be in by Friday morning at the latest
 Last session: 6:30 PM Saturday (10/29)
 Stay through the end: it’s worth it!

3. TRAVEL (PDX)
 Book now (if you haven’t already)
 Arrive: Thursday PM or earlier
 Depart: Saturday PM or later
 Airport easily accessible by light rail (~ $2 per trip)
LODGING
 Hotels listed on website: 2011.netimpact.org
 Interested in sharing? Check our Google Doc and network
 Rates in the low $100’s/night
 Book now (or find someone who has)

4. REIMBURSEMENT
 Funding secured from MPO
 At least $100 per person (potential for more)
 Need proof of attendance
 (save your conference name badge)

5. PREPARATIONS
 Get excited!
 Resume
 Business cards
 Personal pitch
 Tailor it to Net Impact?
 Plan ahead
 Network online beforehand
 Research speakers and companies
 Plan your schedule and be strategic

6. PREPARATION TIPS
“From my perspective, the best way students can get the
most value out of attending is to prepare ahead of time.
There are scores of sessions and workshops and it can be
overwhelming. I suggest that students print the agenda a
few weeks ahead and start to identify the sessions of most
interest. You can do deep in a particular area such as
International Development or Sustainability or Finance, or
get a sampling of everything. Use breaks to network,
network, network. Bring your business cards and ask for
cards when appropriate. Be sure to have your pitch ready -
especially when talking to a speaker who is being targeted
by many other students. Find quieter times to connect with
speakers and employers as well. Go to the dinners. Be
polite. Say thank you.”
Melissa Carrier, Center for Social Value Creation

7. SCHEDULE
 10+ sessions at a
time
 You will be busy!
 Plan ahead
 Print it out
 Connect with
speakers
 Arrive early, stay
late
 Be strategic with
your time

8. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK
“My advice would be to network, network, network at the NI
conference. It's a great opportunity to have real
conversations with the corporate representatives about their
work as well as the company's efforts, so take advantage of
that. Be sure to ask people about their own career paths
and how they have progressed. Do not be discouraged if a
company states that they are not hiring for CSR,
sustainability, etc. Find out about their corporate initiatives
in this space and how other functional areas contribute to
their efforts. Find out if there are other roles that can help
build up to getting the ‘dream’ role.”
Kasandra Gunter-Robinson, Smith OCS

9. NETWORKING TIPS
 Do your homework AHEAD OF TIME
 Create a profile on the NI conference website
 Connect with speakers
 Show them you are excited
 REAL conversations
 Talk to speakers before & after sessions
 Talk to industry leaders, not as many recruiters
 Be insightful, show you know your stuff