Every day I glance over at the enormous conference planning notebook, that I am sure will soon cause the right side of my desk to collapse, and find myself pondering the value of conferences. Why exactly do organizations put so much effort into planning them? Why do professionals spend precious time and money on attending (aside from the obvious pseudo-vacation on the company dime)?

Why? Because top achievers attend conferences. Top achievers invest themselves in creating the life they desire and know the value of networking with others who are tops in their field. Nothing beats rubbing elbows with the best in the biz. Conferences are hot spots for learning what top achievers are focused on and beginning relationships with future contacts. Cultivating and maintaining contacts is often sited as the best reason for attending conferences.

The Art of Networking:
We all know that networking is one of the most successful business generation tactics around. Despite this knowledge, a conference room filled with miniature sandwiches and well-dressed executives donning name tags and spilling the latest industry gossip provokes anxiety in the hearts of many confident professionals.

In a recent nationwide survey developed by a leading staffing service, OfficeTeam, 48 percent of respondents said they feel only somewhat comfortable with working the room at networking events. 15 percent of the 525 full-time professionals reported being at least somewhat uncomfortable in such an environment.

Working a room skillfully will maximize your opportunities to meet new people who can assist you in career success. Having this skill set may also help you to feel relaxed and in control so that you may actually enjoy the event as well.

Plan Ahead:
Prepare a verbal business card. This should be a 15 second introduction that is clear, interesting and well-delivered. Your goal should be to inform and to give people a pleasant experience of you. Think about what connects you to people, how you want to be remembered and what you can give to the people you meet.

Use your expert sleuthing skills to acquire a list of attendees. Note who you would like to speak with and why it is important to speak with them. To keep yourself focused, jot down specific objectives and have a purpose.

Also, read special interest publications that can give you a quick overview of what is happening in business. You may not be an expert, but you can sound like one.

Tricks of the Trade:

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