Packing and Preparing for the ATA Annual Conference

[Foto von Estée Janssens auf Unsplash]

Before I attended my first ATA conference, I watched ATA’s video on preparing to attend the annual conference, which was held by Jill Sommer in the run-up to ATA53 in San Diego in 2012. Next, I googled all sorts of things, like what to clothing to pack, what to take along, how to prepare, and so much more. There are tons of lists out there you can pick bits and pieces from to create your own personal list. Since then, I’ve customized and honed my list after each conference, and I thought I would share it here. It is by no means a complete list, and if you have any suggestions, feel free to email them to me, or come up and tell me at the conference. I would be happy to hear them!

When you are packing your suitcase, the most essential thing to pack is COMFORTABLE SHOES. Having experienced a nasty blister myself (more on that later), I cannot stress this enough! You are on your feet a lot, and you don’t want to be in so much pain you are distracted or, in the worst case, have to go back to your room.

Now that you have your comfortable shoes, you will need something to wear on the rest of your body. It’s a good idea to pack layers. We often end up going from air-conditioned rooms to outside weather and back, and the “Zwiebellook,” as the Germans say, is perfect for adjusting to this. It goes without saying that you will want your clothing to be comfortable too.

If you wear glasses or contacts, take an extra pair along if you have one. The last thing you want is to be far from home and be dealing with broken glasses or lost contacts.

Bring a bag or backpack to carry around during the day at the conference, ideally containing business cards, breath mints, tissues, hand sanitizer, a small mirror for checking for food in your teeth (speaking from experience here), and make sure to have that extra foldable bag for all that swag you are going to collect at the Exhibit Hall and other stands along the way!

[Foto von Dean Pugh auf Unsplash]

Don’t forget your tech–along with your laptop or tablet, be sure to have a good (fully charged) power bank, plus a cable and charger, preferably one with multiple ports, as offering to share a charge can be a nice way to meet people. Having a thumb drive in your bag can’t hurt either; you never know when it might come in handy. If you are travelling from outside the US, you may need to bring an adaptor along as well.

I like to have a little paper notebook and pen in my bag, because sometimes I want to quickly scribble something down and don’t have time to use (or maybe don’t feel like using) my phone or my iPad. I also use the pen to write information on the back of business cards about the person who gave them to me. In an ideal, organized world, I would screenshot them and add the notes in an app in my phone, but there is so much going on at the conference and so many people to talk to that I don’t always find myself in that ideal, organized world.

It’s also good to have a refillable, leakproof water bottle along. Cups are always available next to the water coolers, but it’s much nicer and eco-friendlier to refill your own bottle than to drink from a cup you might spill on yourself or someone else. The same goes for a leakproof coffee cup for those who want to eschew the single-use cups provided. I am speaking from experience again here–I accidentally spilled my coffee on someone at the GLD Members in Europe Workshop in Berlin several years ago and still feel awful when I see her (though she was very gracious about it). Getting back to what goes in our bags, it’s also helpful to toss some healthy, energy-refurbishing snacks like granola bars into your bag for those times when you need a boost. (Note to German readers, when it says “Coffee Break” on the schedule, it truly means coffee only and not snacks…) Last but not least, add a document holder to collect all those receipts for your taxes, business cards, and any other little papers. This definitely beats my old method of throwing them into my bag and sorting out everything in the evening. Well, actually, dumping my bag on the second bed in my room every evening before restocking my bag with what I need for the next day, then finally sorting out the entire mess on my second bed when packing to go home.

For your hotel room (and your bag during the day), it is advisable to pack a mini first-aid kit for minor issues, including items like OTC painkillers and blister band-aids. These band-aids can be a lifesaver, like the time when I got a horrible blister on the back of my heel in Minneapolis and thought the conference was over for me, when Karen saved the day by going to the drugstore and getting me blister band-aids. These little things were an absolute miracle. It actually felt like I didn’t even have a blister anymore. I cannot sing their (and Karen’s) praises enough.

Another important item for your hotel room is a long charger cable (or two). The outlets are sometimes located in the oddest places, and having long cables along has really come in handy.

[Foto von Andrew Neel auf Unsplash]

Once all these things are ready, there’s still a bit to do to get ready for the conference.

Update your LinkedIn profile, and update (or create) a one-page CV and upload it to the conference app. Look through the attendees and make a list of who you want to talk to, and maybe even send them a message ahead of time. Post on social media that you are going to the conference and be sure to use the official hashtag (#GLDinPortland). Use the conference app to plan the sessions and events you want to attend and note the locations. It can’t hurt to familiarize yourself with the layout, so that you are not spending those precious networking moments searching for the room your next session is in.

It’s a good idea to create and memorize your elevator pitch, so that even if you are caught off guard, you can easily recall it. If small talk and networking don’t come easily to you, it helps to prepare and keep some topics in mind, and some questions to ask when networking. It’s also important to recognize when your social battery is running low, and you need a break.

Finally, remember that attending a conference is not just about learning and networking—it’s also about enjoying the experience. While being prepared is important, don’t forget to leave plenty of room for spontaneity, fun, and creating lasting memories. Take time to explore the city if you can, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. So pack your bags, put on those comfortable shoes, and get ready for an enriching and exciting conference experience.

See you in Portland!