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I am polanning to go to ArabNet next week and was wondering how I should strategize to get the most of it, watch panels, meet great people, make great contacts ? What is the best way to do that and do you have any tips and tricks on making sure I get the most out of it ? |
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I think the greatest value of conferences is the networking... a lot of the panels and speeches will be recorded, ustreamed, tweeted and blogged about so you're unlikely to miss much, unless you want to ask a specific question. I also find most speeches are sales pitches about what each company is doing, they rarely offer 'real' insight into anything as they're usually worried about competitive angles... unless it's an announcement for the launch of a new product. So based on that, I'd definitely prioritise the networking aspect... As for networking, I'm probably not the best to give advice as I'm rubbish at small talk, but I think it's best to just go up to people, introduce yourself (who you are and what you do), give them your biz card and take theirs. I wouldn't try to make an elevator pitch of your product then and there, or ask if they're looking for something to invest in (there's Startup Demo for that)... and wouldn't fawn over people too much (as that usually doesn't go down well). I then go home, scan all the cards into my Contacts and start connecting on LinkedIn... that's when all my networking really starts ;) |
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I would also get a list of the attendees/speakers/presenters, etc..., think in terms of what each one can offer you/your project and strategize about talking to them. If they are speaking, for example, then you probably want to attend their speech, prepare some questions and come up to them afterwards and use those as ice breakers. It will not only find you something in common to talk to them about that would be mutually interesting, it will also impress them. BTW, I will be at Arabnet, so be sure to say hello;-) |
