How To Make The Most Of Your First Travel Conference

You’re deciding or have decided to attend your first travel conference. Good for you! But how do you prepare? It’s your first and you’re totally unsure what to take, what to wear and what to expect.

a question mark drawn in white chalk on a blackboard

I recently attended TravelCon in Boston a few weeks ago, so please let me alleviate some of those concerns so you can make the most of your time.

Before the Travel Conference

COMMUNICATIONS

In the lead up to the Travel Conference make sure you have signed up for all forms of communications.

This could include Facebook groups, applicable Apps and providing your email address to the event organisers

a lady is holding an open iPhone showing a number of apps. her thumbnail is manicured in maroon

Each conference may use different methods. Therefore, it’s important you have followed all the instructions given, so you don’t miss anything important.

Prior to the conference, you should be provided with some key information. Such as the schedule, speakers, any happy hours and after-party information.

a man has an open laptop, he is typing with his left hand and holding his iPhone with his right. there is a black coffee sitting to the right of the computer. he wears a silver watch on his left wrist

Should you be going alone, start networking before the event starts. Use social media, like Instagram and Facebook, to start “meeting” people. Therefore, if you are a little on the introverted side, you will have people you can meet up with from the start.

Another great option, if you’re game, is to post into the Facebook group to share a room with another attendee. That way you can split the cost of your hotel room. Plus, you’ll have someone on the ground with you to share your entire experience with.

there are twin beds in a hotel room. the quilt covers are pink and the pillows white. there are 2 standard pillows on each bed and two smaller square pillows positioned on top of the standard pillows in a diagonal fashion. there is a blue piece of art work hanging between the beds. the art work is of a ship

Decide on your goals for the Conference

Review the schedule and start deciding what you want to get out of the conference. Is it just to be there and to listen. Are you wanting to network and make connections? Are you trying to level up your business?

Be clear about what you want to get out of the conference. Attend all the keynotes, talks, after parties and niche meetups that will help you achieve your goal.

Business Cards

There is going to be a lot of meeting new people. Speakers, fellow bloggers as well as appointments with brands and tourism boards. You are going to want to have a physical or virtual business card made up.

it is my business card prepared for the travel conference. it states my website, my Instagram handle, my Facebook page address and my email s. my photo is to the left of the words

Ensure you include all your contact details. This includes your actual name, (don’t be like me and completely forget your own name!) your blog name, website and all your socials. As well as your email address and phone number (if you are comfortable doing so). If you have space, your logo and photo don’t hurt either.

Virtual Pass

What is a Virtual Pass? It’s an online “ticket” that you can pre-purchase, or it may be included in the price of your physical ticket. It allows you to watch all the sessions after the event, at your own leisure.

Specific to TravelCon: All speeches are recorded during the conference. Break out sessions, however, are not due to the fact that attendees have their private work critiqued

there is a black video recorder with the view finder open and recording the travel conference

If there is a virtual pass available, make sure you know how long you have access for, eg 12 months, lifetime etc

You may also choose to not take any notes and make your notes later when you’re watching the talks again. If you want to make the most of your time and not watch the same talks again on the past, make as many notes as possible whilst listening at the conference.

a man is typing at his open laptop whilst watching a video of the travel conference is playing back on his screen. his iPhone is next to him on the right. there is a full cup of coffee to his right sitting above his iPhone

Decide the best way for yourself. It may be on your laptop or smartphone. Or, if you’re like me and remember things more once handwritten, then take a few select pieces of stationary. This includes a notebook, pens, sticky notes etc.

Read this post for my fully comprehensive guide on what to take to a conference

During The Travel Conference

Checking In and Event Pass

If allowable try and check-in and get your name tag the day before the event begins. Therefore, the morning of, you can just arrive prior to the first talk you want to attend

my event pass. it states from top to bottom Travelcon, my name Luisa Berry-Smith, my blog name the Born Wanderess, the word attendee and the hashtag travelcon19

What To Wear to a Travel Conference

Whatever you want!

When it comes to what to wear just be comfortable. Unless a dress code is otherwise stipulated by the event organisers, just wear what you are comfortable in. if that’s a maxi dress and sandals, or a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, you do you boo!

a young girl is looking through racks of clothing

Keep in mind most hotel and conference rooms run on the colder side. Take a jacket or something similar to keep yourself warm.

If you are hoping to meet with brands and discuss partnerships ensure you do look presentable whilst still showing your own style.

Sessions

Get to your sessions early. Seats will fill up and you will want to sit up the front for maximum experience.

a group of women have arrived early to the travel conference. the first woman on the left of he image is blurred, as is the second woman. the third woman is wearing a tan sweater, has her left arm crossed across her middle and is holding a yellow cup of coffee in her right hand up hear her face. the fourth woman u wearing a yellow cardigan with a white skirt, her yellow bag is sat on her lap. she also holds a yellow coffee cup with both hands, up near her face. the fifth woman is wearing a red dress and is looking forward. the sixth woman's image is slightly blurred. she is wearing a white top

You will have a clear view, you can take photos and footage without others heads in your shot. Plus, you’ll have a clear view of the slides.

Scheduling Clashes

There will likely be clashes between important sessions. This is where making some friends and networking, in the beginning, will come in handy.

a woman is writing notes in an open notebook in blue pen. she is wearing a white shirt and has manicure pink nails. her pen lid is sitting on the book and her glasses are slightly noticeable to the left of the image

Compare your desired schedule with a friend or another attendee. If you both have some of the same sessions, split up. Attend the sessions you chose, reconvene and share your notes and the biggest take away’s from each session.

Book Signings At The Conference

If any speakers have published a book and you would like to get your copy signed, you have two options.

First, if book signings are offered you could line up. But you’ll be with everyone else lining up and could potentially miss part of another session.

it is an open book with the pages flared and a pen sticking outward from the book — open book

Or option 2, carry the book with you. You are highly likely to see these speakers wandering around and attending other sessions. That’s your opportunity to say hi, have a photo and get your book signed.

You’re even more likely to have a nice conversation with them. There will be no queue of people behind you waiting for their books to be signed. Get chatty

Networking Know How

The most important thing to take with you to the conference is an open mind. Plus a willingness to learn and network.

If you’re introverted, or just slightly like me, then this may make you totally nervous and feel awkward. That’s okay! There are a lot of people feeling the exact same way as you.

three women are networking at a travel conference. the sun is shining on their faces, the two outer women are looking inward toward the middle woman

Nothing is learned or gained from remaining in your comfort zone.

Embrace the feeling but go ahead and introduce yourself to that stranger anyway. Strangers are only friends we haven’t met yet.

two females are shaking hands at a travel conference. they are both wearing black blazers visible from the forearms down to their manicured fingernails

Go and meet your favourite blogger or keynote speaker. They’re human like us, they want to help us, support us and meet us.

To be honest, it took a lot for me to go up and say hello to Kristen from @Bemytravelmuse, Kiki from @theblondeabroad and Matt from @Nomadicmatt.

But! I did it anyway.

It was also such a thrill to see my mentor Gloria of @glographics again in the fabulous flesh and listen to her inspirational speech on the main stage.

a personal photo of myself wearing a yellow sweater and my event lanyard, being hugged by Gloria Atanmo. she is wearing a red top, white jacket and a white beaded necklace. they are standing in front of a sign that says travelcon. the name of the travel conference

These were people that had inspired me, helped me and taught me and I wanted to thank them for that! I was totally fangirling, feeling awkward and going bright red but I met them and am thankful.

Don’t forget to relax and have fun!!

Make the Most of Brand Appointments

The sponsors of the event, other brands, companies and tourism boards will be at the Travel Conference.

a man has written the words meeting 14:30 on a piece of paper in black pen. he is underlining the time

Whether there are facilitated appointments that you can make, or not, you are going to want to meet and introduce yourself to as many as you can.

It is a great way to get your face, brand and blog in front of potential new partnerships for the future. Don’t forget your business cards!

Niche Meet-Ups, Happy Hours and Parties

Attend as many meetups, happy hours and after-parties as you can. They are an awesome way to network and meet more people. Especially niche meetups.

three women holding beer glasses are networking and talking at a bar. they are siting on a long bench

At TravelCon they had specific meetups for a variety of niches. Such as solo female travellers, bloggers of colour, family bloggers, RV enthusiasts and the list continues.

a crowd of people, in silhouette, are dancing at a party with strobe light flashing in the distance

It’s such a fabulous way to meet even more like-minded people. Grab a wine, have a chat, build your network and exchange business cards.

After The Travel Conference

Consolidate

You’ve just listened to a lot of talks at the conference. Met what feels like a million people and your brain is mush with all that new information. You need to take a hot minute and consolidate your thoughts and everything you have learnt.

Go through your notes. Place sticky notes on, or highlight, important sections of your notebook you want to go back to quickly.

a man in a black and white striped sweater is facing a mood board covered from top to bottom in paperwork

Review the Virtual Pass again. Make a list of videos you want to watch based on your goals. Also, consider other peoples feedback from the session.

Some of the sessions you wanted to watch may have not hit the mark on the day. Or, maybe the session didn’t supply the information you were after.

Make the all-important TO DO LIST and prioritise it.

an open notebook with the word today written at the top of the page. it id underlined. the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 are written down the left side of the page

It’s important to not lose momentum after the conference. It is imperative you have a clear goal, a clear list and a clear strategy. What do you want to achieve and by when?

Follow Up

This is so important! All those awesome new bloggers and brands you met and exchanged business cards with, need to be followed up.

Construct an email within the following 3-5 days after the travel conference.

a man at a desk, at an open laptop making follow up emails after his travel conference

Be sure to include that you met at the conference. Remind them about the conversation you had and keep it relatively short 3-4 paragraphs max.

If it is a brand you are hoping to work with ensure you keep it professional. Make sure you include what you can do for them, it’s all about them! Don’t make it about you and what you want.

Tax

Keep your receipts for your ticket and any other accommodation, travel, books etc. If you have registered your blog as a business or company, have an ABN (or equivalent in your country) and a TFN, then you may be able to claim what you’ve spent, as a business expense.

pile of paper work, tax text books, calculator, pens and rulers

NB Please check with your tax accountant for personal advice applicable to your situation

More Information

Still, feeling unsure? Check out my other post Is TravelCon Worth it? Advice from a First Timer.

Visit TravelCon’s website for more information.

www.travelcon.org

Next years conference is being held in New Orleans May 8-10th

Disclaimer: All photos used (except those with me in them) are stock photos from Canva

The Born Wanderess