If you've recently taken part in a conference or trade show, you know the feeling all too well. You’re pumped up and excited about your prospects—and utterly exhausted.
If you've recently taken part in a conference or trade show, you know the feeling all too well. You’re pumped up and excited about your prospects—and utterly exhausted.
Traveling with work is both exciting and stressful. Your first business conference can be a true first glance into adulthood. Last year, I attended my first one. It was HubSpot’s INBOUND conference in Boston, and lucky for you, I took notes on how to survive the week. Check out my tips below to conquer your first INBOUND experience.
(For Game of Thrones fans and Marketers in general)
It’s hard to believe that HubSpot’s annual conference is less than a month away. The event is a collection of like-minded marketers and thought leaders in the industry that are ready to share the latest tips, trends, tactics and techniques! Last year was my first year and it was a bit of a whirlwind. Certainly, it was extremely helpful, and the sessions were very informative, but it was overwhelming; because I did little to no preparation on my part (oops!). Upon leaving last year, I swore to myself that I would take the time and effort to prepare to get the most out of the event as possible next year. There’s no time like the present to prepare yourself to get the most out of Inbound- and ensure you don’t turn into a Lysa Aryn…(a super crazy lady from GOT.) We've got four major strategies you can pull directly from Game of Thrones to make this year's Inbound your most successful yet.
Lucky you! You're going to attend one of the most fast-paced and energetic marketing and inbound conferences out there - Inbound 2015. Although it can be really exciting, we know it can also be a bit overwhelming. You want to hear every speaker, attend every session and soak up all the information that you can, but you also want to enjoy yourself and enjoy Boston. Here are a few tips that we can give you so you can successfully enjoy your 4-day trip to Beantown.
Don’t fear: Everyone’s a little awkward at conferences. Inbound 2015 is around the corner, and attendees are rolling out their networking strategies. The event’s training sessions, conference add-ons and exhibitions will surely inspire attendees, and the connectivity possibilities are virtually limitless.
Understandably, you might need to brush up on your social skills. The world isn’t filled with networking gurus, and pretending to have confidence, in most situations, is as good as having confidence. If you grew on the wrong side of the networking age, and if you need an arsenal of quick, go-to connectivity tools, get ready. Below are the tools you need to thrive on the floor, in large groups and in the networks you seek:
“Fake it until you make it” is still a viable technique for new entries needing to stand next to industry veterans. If you’re expected to know how to network—you’ll be expected to know people. ‘Networking’, itself, is a scary word. From here on out, replace it with ‘socializing’ to ease the process.
With over 500 Midwestern marketers, Inbound 2015 ensures total cohesion with those navigating the marketing landscape. Creating unbeatable brands, understandably, requires intensive industry knowledge, and social interaction spreads such knowledge further.
Connections are your endgame, and knowing the target before arrival can set you off on the right foot. Make a list of big-name attendees, and make a point to meet with them. In doing so, you’ll also generate connectivity points in the eyes of conference attendees. You’ll be a valuable asset to others seeking the same person.
A basic comprehension of attendee grouping goes a long way. At the conference, everyone you’ll converse with can be sorted into different “subgroups” within a network. In most cases, social media websites will be great resources.
StatisticBrain’s study pertaining to social group interaction reveals an estimated 67 percent of social networkers accessing big sites, like Facebook and Twitter, to maintain current friendships. Similarly, 64 identify social network use with family member connections. Likely, your networking group already exists. You simply need to summon it.
Next, determine a personal group of five to six individuals capable of touching upon you and your career. Where networking is considered, not every contact is made in face-to-face situations. By extending eyes and ears through a well-made group, you’ll enhance your networking options immediately. Additionally, you’ll look like a successful networker out of the gate.
While Facebook and Twitter are beneficial to garnering a solid support team, LinkedIn stands above the rest where professional connections aren’t considered. LinkedIn offers much more in terms of specialized information, and it should be your go-to “digital portfolio”. Inbound 2015 is full of decision makers, prospective specialists and industry enthusiasts. Likely, they’ll scope out your LinkedIn profile.
One in three professionals are on LinkedIn, according to Sensiblemarketing.com’s statistic roundup. Additionally 41 percent of LinkedIn users access the site via mobile. Inbound 2015 attendees will be watching, so making yourself relevant on the site can greatly enhance your networking potential.
Once you’ve ascertained Inbound 2015’s general audience, it’ll be easy to mesh with the crowd. Each pro session will cater to a different audience, and each audience will overlap with your pre-existing network, creating new conenctions. Even if you’re new to networking, don’t worry. Use your known network, be friendly, visit a wide-ranging seminar collection and—above all—have fun.
Lucky you! You're going to attend one of the most fast-paced and energetic marketing and inbound conferences out there - Inbound 2015. Although it can be really exciting, we know it can also be a bit overwhelming. You want to hear every speaker, attend every session and soak up all the information that you can, but you also want to enjoy yourself and enjoy Boston. Here are a few tips that we can give you so you can successfully enjoy your 4-day trip to Beantown.
Inbound 2015 is only three months away, but there is still time to grab your ticket. Need a little help convincing your boss to let you go to the greatest conference ever? We'll give you some tools to keep in your back pocket to help you convince your boss to let you attend.
We spent four days in Boston immersing ourselves in the HubSpot culture, talking with like-minded marketers, listening to inspiring keynotes, attending information-packed sessions and exchanging ideas with other partners and potential clients.
What a ride.
If you never experienced an industry phenomenon like HubSpot’s Inbound conference, I’d highly suggest you go ahead and book your ticket for next year’s event. You will never go back to being “just a marketer” again. The Inbound experience can transform your thinking and allow you to emerge with a whole new perspective on how marketers market.
It was a little bit strange not waking up in Boston on Monday morning. With its busy streets and collection of new and old architecture, what isn’t to love about the city?
Inbound 2014 was fabulous. Between networking with other partners and collaborating with users, the sessions were insightful and valuable. HubSpot employees (as always) were eager to please and eager to help. It was nice to finally put a face to a name or a voice that we had communicated with during the past year.
The Printing Office of Edes & Gill
21 Unity Street, Boston, MA
Distance from Convention Center: 8 minute cab ride, 3.2 miles away
Our livelihood is all about business communication. With lightning-fast speed we share ideas, strategies, news and brands all over the world. We don't even pause to think about typing, printing or how we'll disseminate our words. But while you're in Boston, you can see the roots of mass communication.
Catapult yourself back to the 18th century by visting the Printing Office of Edes & Gill located along the Freedom Trail adjacent to the Old North Church.
There's nothing like living history, or a history teacher alive with passion! The work done here is a real labor of love. --from a TripAdvisor Review
Swan Boats
Lagoon Bridge, Boston, MA 021116
Distance from Convention Center: 9 minute cab ride, 2.1 miles away
A little Zen never hurt anyone. If you're looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of a long week at Inbound, head over to the Boston Public Gardens and snag a ride on a Boston tradition: the Swan Boats.
Parish Café and Bar
361 Boylston Street, Boston, MA
Distance from Convention Center: 12 min. cab ride or 2.2 mi.
Are you looking for a different lunch spot at Inbound? Have you ever eaten a four-star sandwich? At Parish Café, you can. All sandwiches on the menu were created by renowned local Boston chefs. The Parish Cafe, named after the Parish Café in owner Gordon Wilcox’s favorite book Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, opened in 1992 and has been a Back Bay staple for discerning Bostonian sandwich lovers ever since.
