The AOTA Conference is just a month away!

Have you started to prep yet?  Need a starting point?  Think of these three areas:

• Organization
• Goals
• Engagement

Get Organized

Conferences go by fast and have more events than one person can attend.  Make sure you don’t miss out by getting organized before going.

• Set up a meeting with your boss or team to see if there is any information they need from the conference. If a group is going from your organization, go over the next two points with them. Divide and conquer!
• Review sessions ahead of time to select first and second choices.
• Review the vendor list and map, because if you wander aimlessly you might miss some great, new products.
• Download all the conference materials ahead of time.
• Decide how you are going to capture ideas you want to take back to your practice. Set up a file on your tablet, devote a notebook to the conference, or email yourself every time you are inspired.
• If small talk does not come naturally to you, write up a list of open-ended questions that you can draw on.
• Reach out to your contacts prior to the conference and set a lunch or a drink date.
• If this is your first conference, talk to colleagues who have attended for suggestions.

Set Goals

Conferences are not inexpensive, so set concrete goals.  When you are justifying the cost of the next conference, you will have a solid list of reasons to attend!  Here are some suggested goals:

• Ask at least one question at every session you attend.
• Introduce yourself to speakers, make sure you have their contact information and then connect with them via social media.
• Make a list of ideas to share with your boss. You will be motivated to follow through and they will want to send you again next year (which is in Philadelphia!)
• Meet and thank everyone who served on the conference committee. Watch for introductions at the general session.

Immerse Yourself in the Conference

Disconnecting from work and other day-to-day obligations is hard, but you will get the most from the conference if you forget multi-tasking and immerse yourself in the experience.

• Once you have arrived, walk around before the conference is in full swing to get the lay of the land.
• If possible, stay at the conference hotel. You will have more time for conference activities and a greater chance of meeting other OTs.
• Put away your cell phone. Think about it, would you approach someone who was glued to their phone?
• Join group activities – like an early morning walk.
• Sign up for targeted events like meetings for first time attendees or special interest groups.
• Volunteer for the conference.
• Strike up a conversation with at least one person at each event.
• Connect with the larger conversation using the conference hashtag on Twitter and Instagram.

I have enjoyed every AOTA conference that I have attended, both as a practitioner and a vendor, and Orlando will be no exception. Please stop by to say hello to everyone from the OT Toolkit at Booth 542.

Also be sure you see a little bit of the city hosting the conference – there is a lot of entertainment options in Orlando so come a day early or stay an extra night and enjoy a little bit of Florida.