2010ProcZA-Hauht

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Navigating and Networking at the Conference

Sharon L. Hauht, CPSM, C.P.M., Purchasing & Contracts ManagerRegional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada

(702) 676-1559;[email protected]

Martin Rutkovitz, Category Manager, Global Sourcing & ProcurementMonsanto Co.(314) 694-7605;[email protected]

94rd Annual International Supply Management Conference, April 2010

Abstract. Navigating the Conference is the process of learning the most strategic, efficient andeffective way of getting around receiving the highest benefit from your experience. One of thegreatest values anyone can derive from attending a conference is the networking. The annualConference is the best opportunity of the year for participants to come together to share ideas,learn from each other, create new opportunities for jobs, problem-solving and the creation of

lifelong friendships. It is in the formation of these new friendships that ISM grows as an organizationand realizes its potential. This workshop serves as the starting point to ensure that attendees are assuccessful as they can possibly be during and after the annual Conference.

Definition. Navigating the Conference begins with a clear intention. What is it that youre here toaccomplish? Are you here to find a new job? Make new contacts? Solve a problem? What is thepurpose of your attendance? Its essential to have a focused outcome for your participation at the Conference so that you can make the most of the contacts that you make. This allows you tochoose the right events to attend the most beneficial workshops and meet the right people.

Navigating also starts with a road map. By the time you arrive at the Conference, you should have agood idea of whom you would like to meet among the speakers and presenters. These are leadersin their fields and terrific contacts for you. Often they are very open to meeting audience membersand sometimes are willing to stay in touch. Certainly they are willing to talk, many have websites,blogs and newsletters they can put you to keep you informed of their ideas and materials. Donthang back- walk right up and get yourself introduced to them. Speakers like the attention andappreciate it when audience members show interest and enthusiasm.

Navigating the crowd starts with a positive attitude about yourself, and what you have to offer. Toomany people think that networking is hard work, and that you have to be charming and witty to carryit off, and that its the exclusive realm of those with brilliant personalities. That couldnt be furtherfrom the truth.

The ability to navigate a group of people at any conference begins with the knowledge that youhave something of value to offer, and that its not about you, its always about the other person.

Here are other Conference-specific navigation tools that you may find useful:

1. Register early and using the map, walk the physical layout of the Conference Hall andyour hotel as soon as possible after you arrive.
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2. Review the Conference Navigation/Program Guide to make sure the workshops you pre-registered for still make sense for you to attend. You dont have to go to the workshopsfor which you pre-registered, you can change your mind. ISM uses the pre-register list toassign the appropriate sized rooms to the pre-registered attendance for each workshop.

3. Carry the Pocket Guide with you that came in your registration packet. Circle the ones

you want to go to and have a back-up workshop identified if your first choice is full whenyou get there. Highlight the workshops you actually attend, so you can transfer theinformation to your C.P.M. Continuing Education Point Form (if needed) later.

4. Full workshops cant handle any more persons because of local fire codes, so if you see aFULL sign on the workshop sign outside the workshop, youll need to quickly chooseanother workshop.

5. Attend any formal or informal networking sessions.

6. Several Conference workshops are organized into tracks which are each meant to have

interrelated content which are considered the hot topics of the day. They can behorizontal tracks (interrelated topic workshops presented on different days) or verticaltracks (interrelated topic workshops presented all on one day at different times). Thetracks offered at this years Conference are: Risk Management; Best Practices in SupplyManagement; Logistics; Leadership, Management and Talent; and Services Procurement.You can tell which workshops are associated with which track by its label in theConference Navigation/Program Guide.

7. Mega Sessions are traditionally some of the most well-attended sessions. MegaSessions are workshops that are usually on topics that the Conference LeadershipCommittee has determined arent conducive to fit into the normal workshop timeschedule, and are worthy of extending to a second workshop. Make sure you go to thefirst workshop, because if you just go to the second workshop, you may be lost on thetopic. Project Management, Business Continuity and Services Procurement are back bypopular demand. Finance and Negotiations are new this year. Since seating is limited inmega-sessions, and you are required to register beforehand on your registration form.

8. Repeated workshops are workshops that are usually on topics that have high attendeeappeal, so the same workshop is repeated later (usually on a different day) at theConference.

9. Carry your Conference Navigator/Program Guide, just in case you need to refresh yourmemory or read what a workshop is about.

10. Fill out and turn in each workshops evaluation form, even if you have to leave before thesession is done. These helps the Conference Leadership Committee read attendeecomments and choose the next years Conference speakers and topics.

11. If more than one person from your company comes to the Conference, consider splittingup and attending different sessions so that your companys representation at theConference can cover more workshops.


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12. Visit the ISM Conference Career Center if you would like to submit your resume into the

database. All services are confidential and hiring organizations have exclusive access tothose resumes.

13. Internet access is available in the Registration Hall for Conference attendees in the

Cyber-Caf with free Wi-Fi. Go at off times, because the lines can get long waiting for acomputer during dining hours, exhibit hours and between workshops.

14. Water coolers are available in each workshop room for your convenience, usually in theback of the room or by the entrance.

15. Volunteer opportunities for next year can be determined by visiting the Hospitality Boothof the ISM affiliate hosting the following years Conference, located in the RegistrationHall.

16. Keep notes on good speakers; it will help when choosing the workshops you or a co-

worker will want to attend next year.

17. Stay organized. Bring a 9 x 12 envelope and/or 3-ring binder with you to the Conferenceto keep all your handouts together. Bring a pen and a highlighter with you to take noteson the handouts during the workshops. Bring a portfolio or tablet to use as a hard surfaceto write on when you are making your notes on handouts during the workshops. Fill outyour C.P.M. continuing Education Point Form as you attend the workshops, or at the endof the Conference using your marked-up Pocket Guide, otherwise you may forget whichworkshops you attended, once you get back to work.

18. Consistent with sustainability efforts, this year handouts will be offered on a CD or on theISM website, instead of at the workshop. If you want a hard copy to put notes on, printout before you go to the workshop.

19. Go online after the Conference and take the Conference survey. Attendee commentshelp the Conference Leadership Committee prepare for next years Con ference.

20. Put together a presentation and submit an application to present at the conference nextyear. The benefit is a free Conference registration if the Conference LeadershipCommittee chooses your presentation for a workshop.

21. Networking can be fun and can build your experience and knowledge base quicker thananything!

22. Dont miss the Exhibit Halls to network and find out great information on new products andmeet with over 100 suppliers.

23. Bring your business cards to the session and prepare to meet some new contacts.

24. On the back of each business card you receive, write on the back when and where youmet them and something to remind you of what you talked about.


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25. Organize your own system to keep those contacts and build more throughout the

conference.

26. Introduce yourself and trade business cards at every opportunity, at workshops, generalsessions, between workshops, meals, career center, even bathrooms!

27. At meals, consider yourself the table host and get everyone talking. Have standardquestions ready to ask Where are you from? Who do you work for? What are your workresponsibilities? What do you like best about your job? What challenges is your industryfacing now? What challenges is your organization facing now?

28. If you have potential solutions for the challenges your colleagues are facing, offer yoursolutions to them.

29. Make eye contact and smile at everyone you can to help them feel welcome and at easespeaking to you.

30. Have a genuine interest in everyone you meet and leave everyone you meet feeling greatabout themselves. Compliment them on how they impressed you, and you will beunforgettable to them.

Summary. Your success at the 2010 Annual ISM Conference and Educational Exhibit dependsdirectly on how well you navigate and network. Its about the people, the relationships, theconnections, not just the great information. ISM offers you the chance to expand your opportunitiesif you are willing to extend your hand and meet the diverse and amazing people at this event. Startwith your clear intention- know your purpose in being there- and then make it your purpose to meetthose people who will help you achieve that purpose. Make yourself memorable with those youmeet along the way. Follow up with e-mails or notes and stay in touch. And come back next year toold friends who will remember you with pleasure and high regard!

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2010ProcZA-Hauht