5 Do’s and Don’ts for making your conference experience radically beneficial:

1. DON’T do it alone. If possible go to conferences with a team. That could be your spouse, ministry team, network, coach, or mentor. I’ve attended most conferences with my wife. That’s a major reason we love being in ministry together.

Don’t eat meals alone. Find like-minded people to eat and share with. Process what you’re experiencing together. Confess, repent, and yes, have fun and laugh together!

At Velocity14 I was able to be with my ministry coach. He introduced me to people, challenged me, and helped make the experience radically more beneficial than had I been alone.

2. DON’T feel guilty…. for skipping a session and/or going off the conference script. Don’t miss the chance to network and process.

There are other times you just need to step away to process, pray, and/or meditate. I “skipped” a session to get some input from a leader at Velocity14. He challenged me to call my wife and get her input on something. After the conversation I called my wife. That conversation and the prayer walking I did afterwords redirected our lives! And I don’t feel guilty!

3. DO approach speakers. Years ago my grandmother (a prolific writer) encouraged me to write authors whose books bless me. She said most authors lack the affirmation they need. I apply that to speakers and leaders in any context.

Want to meet and talk personally to a speaker? Wish you could ask him or her a question? Go for it. Depending on the size of the conference and schedule it may not be possible. But it’s worth trying.

Utilize social media. I’ve tweeted speakers ahead of time and throughout conferences. This has opened many doors and relationships. You have nothing to lose and a lot to gain.

4. DO take great notes. Jot down quotes, suggestions, action steps, resources you hear about, & anything you want to remember. I use Evernote & keep a separate file for each session. I also have a follow-up note. In this note I keep lists like: people to follow-up with, books to read, & action steps to take. Then I review it after the conference.

5. DO write out specific application and action steps. DON’T just sit and soak. After each session or at the end of the day ask: “What do I do with what I just heard?” If possible have this conversation with your spouse or team.

After Velocity14 I had three specific action steps. See this post for details.

Question: what do’s and/or don’ts help make conferences beneficial to you?