Any tips for a first time GF attendee?

[Stephen]

Hello,

I've attended regional SAS User Group conferences in the past, but this will be my first time attending a SAS Global Forum. I've got the AttendeeHub app, which is a great tool btw, but I'm wondering if there are any other tips or recommendations for getting the most out of the conference?

[Reeza]

Attend the first timers sessions. 

If you don't like a talk and can easily/discreetly leave do so.

Make sure to visit the networking sessions. 

Take notes and email me them with paper/talk title to your work email. Then when you get back you know which ones were useful. 

Plan out your day to attend talks, but if you have some free time the Lightening sessions (maybe a different name) that are only 10 minutes are great. If its bad, well it's done soon, or you can learn some useful things. 

[MichelleHomes]

Hi @Stephen,

Great to hear you are attending your first SAS Global Forum and have asked for tips in advance! You'll love SASGF.

This is a question that tends to arise each year and you might find scrolling through the SAS Global Forum 2017 community posts helpful. I do recall posting a response a while ago and am unable to find it.

I highly recommend attending the First Timers Session and also planning the sessions/people you'd like to meet/quad visits/networking etc in advance. Have a few itineraries planned though as you what I've found over the years is that you'll find many other interests too. So while being prepared with information learning and sharing, be also prepared to adapt when meeting people and seeing things.

Be like a sponge; soaking up all that is offered.

You may also find the blog post, A conversation with SAS Global Forum Chair Goutam Chakraborty a helpful read.

Hope to meet you in person!

Cheers,

Michelle

[Ron_Cody]

Hi Stephen.

Nice to hear from you. I would try an get involved in volunteering in the
conference. That way, you get to meet more people. I hope you stop by my
talk or Monday night at the Publication booth and say hello.

Best,
Ron

[PabloNogueras]

Hola Stephen,

99% of the people are there to learn something new, old, different.  Don't be afraid to strike up a conversation.  You will be talking to a SAS user.  Teach and learn is what is about for me at the SGF.

Have a great time doing it.

Hasta

Pablo

[ChrisHemedinger]

@MichelleHomes's response reminded me of The Programmer's Guide to Networking at a Conference, which I shared last year.  Worth a revisit.

---

I just came across this blog post, The Programmer's Guide for Networking at a Conference.  If you're reading this, you're already following the first piece of advice: Start networking before the conference starts.

The blog post is worth your time to read.  I'll summarize the main headings here.

• Start networking before the conference starts (hurray! You're doing it!)
• Become a social butterfly (don't eat lunch by yourself!)
• Go up to speakers after talks. (I enjoy it when people visit me after I present.)
• Become a speaker
• Become a volunteer (SAS Global Forum runs on volunteers!)
• Have your elevator pitch down ("So, what do you do?")
• Seek to help people and be interested
• Sit in the front and pay attention
• Follow up (easy to do with e-mail, communities, and even the conference app).

Chris

[maceymc]

Thanks to all for these tips!

[yeswanth92]

Thanks for all the suggestions.