Last year was my first ALA and it is definitely nothing like other conferences. This is a combination of tips I’ve shared before and new ones learned the hard way. I’ve also included a reading list with suggestions on networking and tips for introverts. Give people your name – wear your name badge up near your face rather than on a lanyard so it’s easy for people to glance at it while talking to. Introduce yourself, even if you’ve already met the person. Some of us have hard time with names and there are a LOT of people to remember. Don’t hang out with the people you came with – Go to different sessions, maximize your time at the conference you can share with each other what you learned. Meet new people – you’re probably not going to meet new people if you’re hanging out with the people you came with. Get out of your comfort zone, ask people what they want to get from the conference, how far they traveled etc, you never know what you’ll learn or who you’ll meet. Make a schedule, be willing to break it – make a schedule of what you’d like to attend,
