Finally, after some pandemic-induced downtime, in-person tech conferences are back - and they are bigger and more magnificent than ever before. 🎉
For the introverts among us, large gatherings like these can be intimidating, though.
So I am going to share some lessons with you that I learned the hard way, which will hopefully make it easier for you to enjoy your next conference and get the most out of it.
Get there early and explore the area
Figure out how to get from your accommodation to the venue, and maybe buy some tickets for public transport in advance - you don’t want to miss the opening session because the ticket machine won’t accept your credit card (been there, done that).
You can usually pick up your badge the day before the conference starts which is more relaxed than queuing with the crowds right before the first keynote.
If the venue is already open, walk around a bit to see where the different areas are. Try to get a feeling for the distances between the different stages and rooms. Take note of the location of the areas that are most essential for survival - bathrooms, lunch area, coffee stations.
Plan your schedule
Since at large tech conferences, there are usually many sessions happening in parallel, you need to know when you want to be where.
Don’t try to squeeze too many sessions in though - depending on the length of the sessions and the travel time needed in between sessions, even 3 or 4 sessions might keep you busy the entire day. Make sure to plan breaks for food, coffee, socialising, and decompressing.
Be honest with yourself about your skill level with a particular technology and choose your sessions accordingly. Don’t attend the fancy deep dive on a topic you know nothing about just because everyone else is talking about it. Your schedule should work for you so that you can get the most out of the experience.
Noise-cancelling headphones
If you have noise-cancelling headphones, bring them and use them whenever you feel like you are getting overwhelmed. If you have some downtime in between sessions (which you should!), suppress the multitude of stimuli by putting on some calm music, a guided meditation, or some ambient sounds. 🎧
Retire to a quiet space
If you can, stay close to the venue so you can head back to your hotel to recharge during the day. If that is not an option, there are often quiet spaces at the conference venue where you can disconnect from the hustle and bustle for a while. Obviously, be mindful of the other people there, so don’t use these spaces to work, take calls, or enjoy a bag of crisps.
Socialise
Now, telling introverts to socialise might sound counter-intuitive but being introverted doesn’t mean being anti-social.
I prefer making a few meaningful connections, rather than meeting many people on a superficial level. Even if it means stepping outside of your comfort zone a bit, try to connect with other attendees over lunch or coffee.
In the evenings, there are usually vendor-sponsored parties and they can be great fun! Do attend if you feel like it. However, if you feel like you need some peace and quiet and the hotel bathtub is calling your name - then that’s exactly what you should do.
Don’t sell your soul for a pair of socks
At most large tech conferences, there will be a huge area where vendors have their booths, demo their products, and give away some free swag.
This tends to be the most overwhelming place for me since it is usually packed with people running around hectically to grab as much free stuff as possible. So definitely check out this area if you want to network with other companies or get a demo of some cool tools. But before you give away all your personal data for a pair of socks, think about if it’s worth it.
Take care of your body
At least for me, my mental well-being is directly related to my physical health. Unfortunately, tech conferences are just the perfect opportunity to neglect your body a bit - with free doughnuts at every corner, after-party-induced lack of sleep, and little to no fresh air and sunlight. So remember to fuel your body properly, get enough rest, and step outside from time to time. Your mind will thank you and you’ll be able to soak up more knowledge and inspiration. 💡
With all that being said, don’t stress too much about all this and focus on what feels good for you. The main reason I attend tech conferences is that they always remind me of how great it is to be working in tech and leave me inspired to build things. 👩💻 🚀
I hope to see you at a conference at some point - we can organise an introvert-friendly hangout. ✨