Every WORKBENCHcon requires months of intense preparation. From the schedule to the venue, every detail is given much consideration. We want every WORKBENCHcon to be an awesome and unforgettable experience for all of our attendees.
As an attendee, you also spend a lot of time and effort to be at WORKBENCHcon. There’s tons to consider, like working out your schedule, the expenses involved, packing, travel arrangements, and more. Once you get here and start to take in all that we’ve put together for you, you’ll want to retain as much as you can, so when you get back home, you can put what you experienced to work for you.
Here are some ways to maximize your WORKBENCHcon experience.
1. Bring Plenty of Business Cards & Stickers
You’re going to meet a lot of amazing people—fellow creators, potential collaborators, and industry leaders. Having business cards on hand makes it easy to exchange contact information and leave a lasting impression. Don’t miss the chance to connect!
Pro Tip: Jot down a quick note on the business card or sticker to remind you of the person. Mention this when you follow up the week after WORKBENCHcon.
2. Research Brands Ahead of Time
Take some time to research the brands that will be present at WORKBENCHcon. Knowing who you want to connect with and what they offer will make your conversations more impactful and help you forge meaningful partnerships.
Pro Tip: Pay attention to what they’re doing with influencer marketing and think about how your skills or ideas could align with their mission. When you follow up, pitch a tailored concept that shows how you can help them achieve their goals.
3. Perfect Your Elevator Speech
Be ready to introduce yourself with a clear and concise elevator speech. This is your chance to quickly communicate who you are, what you do, and what you’re looking for. A well-prepared introduction can open doors to new opportunities.
4. Stay Hydrated
With all the excitement and activities, it’s easy to forget to drink water. We’ll have water stations throughout the venue, so be sure to keep a bottle with you and stay hydrated. It’s the little things that keep you energized and focused.
Pro Tip: Bring your own branded water bottle to stay hydrated and make a statement. Consider bringing a couple of extras to gift to key contacts—it’s a thoughtful way to leave a lasting impression and keep your brand top of mind.
5. Plan Your Schedule
Check out the event schedule ahead of time and plan which sessions, workshops, and networking events you want to attend. Having a game plan helps you maximize your time and ensures you don’t miss out on anything important.
6. Take Notes
Bring a notebook or use your favorite digital note-taking app to jot down key insights, ideas, and contact information. This will help you capture all the valuable knowledge you’ll gain and make it easier to implement when you get back home.
By following these tips, you’ll be ready to fully immerse yourself in the WORKBENCHcon experience and take advantage of all the opportunities it offers.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
A few more tips:
- Get Lots Of Rest
It can be easy to forget to get adequate rest during a trip away from home! This is a must, though, if you want to think and feel your best. Because you’ve spent considerable time and effort to attend WORKBENCHcon, getting plenty of sleep is essential if you want to take in all the instruction that’s presented during the conference.
Feeling well rested should also increase your confidence when talking with the brand representatives at WORKBENCHcon.
We’re not saying, though, that can’t have fun after conference hours! Just keep in mind how much rest you usually need to function properly the following day.
- Business Cards
Business cards are essential for any conference. Don’t leave home without them! When you get back home, you’ll probably have tons of business cards from the makers and brands you met at WORKBENCHcon. You’ll want your business card to be in their stacks too!
See also: Business Cards: An Essential Tool To Bring With You
- Interact With Brands
The thought of meeting brand reps might seem to be intimidating and outside of your comfort zone. Indeed, the opportunity to work with a national brand is a big responsibility and privilege. In the end, business is business, and brand reps at WORKBENCHcon are looking for those who will best represent their brand and engage their audience.
However, brand reps are ordinary people just like you. Just have a friendly conversation with them! Ask them simple things like how they’re doing and how they’re enjoying the conference thus far. How was their trip to the venue? Engage them with a pleasant conversation and a friendly smile.
Once you move to business matters, tell them how you can benefit their brand, their audience, and their overall mission. Of course, before you can confidently give them such assurances, you need to know about them and their audience. Before the conference, take the time and research these things. A brand is much more likely to work with someone who is prepared, knows the brand beyond “I love using your product!”, has a plan, and confident in their ability to make that plan happen.
A great way to interact with the brands is to participate in the various DIY workshops. Not only are the workshops informative and fun, but they also present additional opportunities to connect with the brands you’d love to work with!
Maximize Your WORKBENCHcon Experience
Most important of all, we want you to have fun and enjoy yourself! Preparing well will help you to maximize your WORKBENCHcon experience.
Join Our Facebook Group
#WBCmakers is a place for past and present attendees and those interested in WORKBENCHcon to stay connected. We limit this private group to makers, bloggers and social media influencers only (no brands or PR reps please). Click here to send a join request. You’ll be prompted to answer three questions; be sure to submit your answers!
