Stay organized, connect with purpose, and get more out of every event.
Too many attendees walk into conferences excited—but leave feeling like they barely scratched the surface. With a little strategy and the right tools, you can turn any event into a high-value experience.
Here are our top tips to help attendees maximize their conference experience from start to finish:
1. Set Clear Goals Before You Go
Are you hoping to earn CEUs, discover new exhibitors, or build your professional network? Define two to three goals for your time at the conference. Having a purpose helps you stay focused and use your energy and time wisely.
2. Plan Your Agenda Ahead of Time
Don’t wait until you arrive onsite to figure out your schedule. Review the session list beforehand and choose the presentations, keynotes, and workshops that best align with your goals.
Pro tip: Use your mobile event app to build your personal agenda so you don’t miss key sessions.
3. Network with Intention
Conferences are ideal for making new connections. Attend social events, join breakout discussions, participate in gamification experiences, and visit exhibitor booths to start conversations.
Plus: Most event apps include an attendee directory where you can connect with others and view profiles, send messages, and even schedule meetups — no awkward, cold intros needed!
4. Track Your CEUs Easily
If earning continuing education credits is part of your plan, make sure to use the conference’s tech tools to track attendance and credits automatically.
Pro tip: With the RAH ConferenceBeat Scanner app, you can scan into sessions, track your CEUs, and generate reports—no paper forms or manual entry required!
5. Engage with Exhibitors
Exhibitors often have valuable insights and tools you can use in your organization or career. Don’t just grab a flyer — ask for demos, drop your business card, let them scan your badge, and jot down notes. Most event apps even let you favorite exhibitors or send a note to partake in a quick one-on-one meeting.
6. Take Notes… and Actually Use Them
Use the notes feature in your event app, type on your phone, or snap photos of slides. Writing down key quotes, stats, and action ideas helps you retain more information.
Pro tip: If you’re using a Results at Hand app, you can open any session in the agenda and download or email presentation materials to yourself.
After the conference, spend 15–30 minutes reviewing your notes and summarizing 2–3 key takeaways you want to implement.
According to an article from Sembly:
- Writing by hand activates more areas of the brain, improving memory and understanding.
- Digital handwritten notes (i.e., on a tablet) combine handwriting benefits with the organization of digital files.
- Whichever method you choose, reviewing your notes afterward is key for retention.
7. Stay Social
Share your experience on social media using the event hashtag and tagging speakers, exhibitors, or other attendees! Take advantage of photo booths, props, or branded event backdrops!
Social posts not only help you document your experience, they also help others find you and continue the conversation after the event.
8. Follow Up & Keep the Momentum Going
Your learning and networking shouldn’t stop when the conference ends. Within 1–2 days of returning home:
- Send LinkedIn invites to people you met
- Email exhibitors for follow-up information
- Share key lessons with your team or supervisor
- Use your event app to revisit session content or export scanned data
This solidifies what you gained and builds long-term value from the event.
Don’t Forget Wellness
Conference days are long! Plan breaks, stay hydrated, and schedule downtime so you don’t burn out halfway through. You’ll engage more effectively when you feel energized.
Final Thought: Use Your Tools!
Your conference app isn’t just for schedules — it’s your all-in-one personal assistant for the event. With the right tools, you can:
- Build a personal itinerary
- Connect with attendees, exhibitors, and speakers
- Track CEUs automatically
- Download or email session materials instantly
- Keep organized notes in one place
- Share feedback easily through post-session and event surveys
Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to share your feedback! Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned pro, completing surveys for sessions, exhibitors, and the overall event helps organizers improve the experience for everyone.
Make It Count
With the right tools, a little planning, and intentional follow-up, your next event can be your most valuable one yet.