There are lots of suggestions about how to maximize your investment in a conference. Here are some of the inside tips based on over 20 years of attending conferences.

Stock up on business cards - Stick 20 cards into your bag before you head out.

• Pro Tip - Stick 3 or 4 cards into the back of your namebadge/lanyard. That way you don't have to fumble for them in a pocket when you are exchanging cards with someone
• Pro Tip - Write a note on the back of any business cards with context or follow-up. You don't want to be staring at a  stack of cards at the end of 3 days with no ideas which one was the person who said "I'd like to talk to you about a job."
• Pro Tip - forgot your cards? Throw some together on your computer and print them off on medium weight cardstock at a nearby Staples or other quick print place.

Let's get digital. Get active on the conference App and social media during the conference. It is a great way to get inside tips on great speakers and meet new friends.

• Pro Tip - Help a baby boomer figure out how use their App (It's a great way to meet an industry leader!)

Be an expert networker. Conferences are a great way to meet a lot of people but it can be overwhelming.

• Pro Tip - Check out the list of delegates in the App or other source and prioritize 3-5 people you really want to meet. 
• Pro Tip - Introvert? Find a quiet corner or give yourself permission to reduce the amount of time you spend with big crowds

Plan your breaks. Conferences are often jam packed and it can be easy to get sidetracked.

• Pro Tip - Take 5 minutes to walk through the venue to spot the washrooms, water fountains/bottle filling stations. Note if there is a back door in workshop rooms (which can often get you first in line for washrooms).

Ask a vendor. Vendors have a wealth of information on trends and new ideas. After all, they travel around North America going to conferences and work with charity clients from all different sectors. 

• Pro Tip - Got a challenging problem? Ask a vendor for advice. A good vendor will not hard sell but will offer you thoughtful advice and may even refer you to a charity peer for help.
• Pro Tip - Having trouble finding an sector leader you want to meet? Ask one of the Vendors for an introduction. Vendors know a LOT of people.

Don't skip out-of-town speakers. Conferences often bring the best of the best from the sector. But when a conference is willing to pay airfare and hotel, that speaker is going to have deep expertise. It is great to mix in a few speakers you haven't heard of into the sessions you attend.

You be you. I know, I know, it's a conference and you want to make a good impression.  That doesn't mean you can't have great fun socks, an unusual necklace, or some detail that is not completely corporate.

Got ideas and Pro Tips of your own? Add them below and help everyone have their best possible conference.

Ann Rosenfield, MBA, CFRE is the Editor for Hilborn Charity eNews. She is incoming Chair for AFP Congress 2018 and has been attending conferences for over 20 years from San Francisco to Halifax to Amsterdam. The next conference she is attending is in Boston.