Attending your first conference? Here are some tips to help you succeed!

Attending your first geomorphology conference can be both exciting and overwhelming. Here are some practical tips to help young geomorphologists make the most of the experience:

Before you depart

As with most things, you should plan well for the conference attendance. Review the conference program in advance and highlight sessions relevant to your research interests. In addition, prepare a concise introduction about your research and interests. This way you will always be prepared when someone asks you what interests you. Sign up for the conference mailing list and follow their social media. This way you will always be up to date with the program and the guest speakers. Review the program and highlight all sessions you wish to attend. Finally, prepare a LinkedIn profile and business cards, or if that is not possible, print out A5 summaries of your poster or presentation that you can give to interested people. That way people that wish to will always be able to contact you.

While being there

Arrive early, scope out the venues and locate key areas like registration, session rooms and networking spaces. Attend as many sessions as you can, even if you are tired. The conference happens only once and often research that is presented has not been published yet. This means you are now have a front row seat of what is happening in your field. During sessions be sure you engage actively with the speaker and fellow participants. Don't be afraid to ask questions and to approach people if you have questions. Conferences are key to growing your professional and academic network - here you can interact with researchers in a more informal setting. Having said that, ensure you network strategically. An expert in your field is attending? Introduce yourself to him or her, and strike up a conversation. And go to the social events. Conferences are also supposed to be fun and the social events provide a relaxed setting for you to engage with your peers.

When you return

Once you are back home, jot down the research ideas and tips you received at the conference. Update your LinkedIn profile and connect with the people you met at the conference. Foster the connections you made and look for future collaboration opportunities among your new contacts..