by Eboni DuBose

Attending Your 1st ISPI ConferenceAttending Your 1st ISPI ConferenceHere are some TIPS for SUCCESS that helped ME

The BIG IDEAThe BIG IDEAOn the LinkedIn ISPI-Global discussion group, On the LinkedIn ISPI Global discussion group,

Amy Carr posed this question

What advice do you have for a first‐time THE Performance Improvement Conference attendee? 

I'd love to hear from those of you who have attended conferenceI d love to hear from those of you who have attended conference and what you like about it, what are the do‐not‐miss events (since there are quite a few to choose from!), and how to set up a schedule to learn as much as I can. Thanks so much! 

I decided to use ISPI member responses and then pcreated a resource for other newbies to use

Tip # 1Tip # 1

Study the Conference Program in advance and Study the Conference Program in advance and start to map out “your plan”.

This really helped me maximize my time.  ISPI was great about putting the workshop descriptions online and I was able to map out my plan before the conference but I did deviate from my plan a little (one topic that wasn’t under my radar before REALLY caught my interest later)

Eboni DuBose, Boise State University, Instructional and Performance Technology Masters Candidate and ISPI‐Student member

Tip #2Tip #2

ATTEND EVERYTHING ATTEND EVERYTHING. -TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY

It’s YOUR money. You came to learn, transform, and get expert advice.  SEIZE The moment..

Tip #3Tip #3

Introduce yourself to everyoneIntroduce yourself to everyone

NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK.  You are there to meet people.  The best part of the conference is CONVERSATIONS.  p p pThis is OUR community of practice.  This is the moment to talk to people who share our passions!  (While you’re washing hands at the bathroom , say HI.  This is how I met Erica Keeps (wife of Harry Stolovitch)(wife of Harry Stolovitch).   

Tip #4Tip #4Bring plenty of business cards and hand Bring plenty of business cards and hand them out freely

This is a must!  Some people will say business cards are of the t d th t i th l t i SORRY it i tillpast and that we are in the electronics age..SORRY, it is still 

professional courtesy and is the number one way for people to have others remember your info.   VistaPrint is always running sales and I even got mine with my photo on it g y p

Tip #5Tip #5Write down the little tidbits of information on Write down the little tidbits of information on

the back of business card to help you remember your new connections once you remember your new connections once you get home.

You will be meeting so many people that you will need a “ j ” h b k f h b i d Al i“memory jogger” on the back of the business card.  Also it helps you personalize your LinkedIn request when you get back home instead of just saying “I’d like to add you to my LinkedIn network”.  You can add parts of your conversation.p y

Tip #6Tip #6Find a buddy or buddies to connect withFind a buddy or buddies to connect withwhile there if you can

Make a FRIEND. If you are going by yourself,  try and find some new people who are by themselves too (they are easy to spot, they are using SITTING BY THEMSELVES).   As Tip #3 said “introduce yourself to everyone”, you never know what new, COOL people you will meet New people will definitely beCOOL people you will meet.  New people will  definitely be attending “Introduction to PI” and  “Speed Mentoring Session” 

Tip #7Tip #7Check out and attend the 3rd Annual Speed Check out and attend the 3rd Annual Speed

Mentoring session It' t f j t " i " f i l it' f t ISPI It's not for just "emerging" professionals - it's for anyone new to ISPI.

Imagine SPEED DATING but with better luck.  You get  3 rounds to sit down for 15 minutes with seasoned HPT experts and ask any p yquestions you want.  You can then exchange business cards and continue the conversation on throughout the conference and after.  You will have access to mentor bios before the conference; use it to map out who you want to talk tomap out who you want to talk to. 

Tip #8Tip #8

Volunteer to be on an ISPI committee Volunteer to be on an ISPI committee.

ISPI definitely has volunteer opportunities. No , they are not BEATING you over the head to volunteer but think about it this way. Through volunteering you get the opportunity to 

Use and expand your professional skills and knowledge.

Build relationships within the professional community.

Strengthen the field by strengthening the organization which best   g f y g g g

represents the field.

Remember  it’s not WHAT you know , it’s WHO you know and your 

volunteering could be the opportunity that gets you a future job. 

Tip #9Tip #9Have FUN.

Remember, it’s 4 days away from your job, school, stress, etc.  

Enjoy being in a new city surrounded by the best in the HPT fieldEnjoy being in a new city surrounded by the best in the HPT field,  

and they are all at your FINGERTIPS.  Oh and yes, you will be tired 

but it will be a GOOD tired!  Remember you are now a STORY 

TELLER go forth and spread the knowledge you have learned backTELLER, go forth and spread the knowledge you have learned back 

to your organizations, your teams, and your friends.  See you next 

year!!

Interested in more tips check out the discussionon Linked In http://linkd in/dG7g5Yon Linked In http://linkd.in/dG7g5Y (must join the ISPI-Global group)

THANK YOU ISPI MEMBERSTHANK YOU ISPI MEMBERSFOR PROVIDING SUCH THOUGHTFUL TIPS

Lisa Toenniges Guy Wallace Maurie Coleman Ann BattenfieldLisa Toenniges Guy Wallace Maurie Coleman Ann Battenfield

Scott Rooke James Perry Lori Kane