{"id":12265,"date":"2022-11-03T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-03T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/?p=12265"},"modified":"2022-11-03T14:01:22","modified_gmt":"2022-11-03T18:01:22","slug":"whats-in-my-conference-bag","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/2022\/11\/03\/whats-in-my-conference-bag\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s in my Conference bag?<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Picture this: you\u2019ve registered to attend your first PRSSA ICON and already decided which business professional outfit you\u2019re going to wear. Now all that\u2019s left to do is to learn as much as you can from your peers, guest speakers, and future colleagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You get to Texas, and you\u2019re ready to learn, but then you realize you forgot a notepad. And a pen. And probably something else, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparation is key to making the most of your Conference experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So today, I\u2019m here to give you the scoop on everything you should and shouldn\u2019t bring to a Conference, coming from someone who\u2019s both attended and planned a District Conference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spoiler alert: you definitely need a bag (or a satchel, briefcase, purse, etc.) to put all of this in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Something to take notes with.<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    I didn\u2019t pack a notebook when I attended my first Conference, and it was a huge mistake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I had no way of taking notes during sessions except with my cell phone, which gave the illusion that I wasn\u2019t engaged. Out of fear of giving off the wrong impression, I didn\u2019t take notes at all. Now, three years later, I can barely recall what I learned in those sessions with some of the best in the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You don\u2019t have to bring a paper notebook, but I would highly recommend bringing something<\/em> to take notes with \u2014 a laptop, tablet, or really anything but your cell phone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. A water bottle.<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      This one might be self-explanatory, but it\u2019s essential. Between networking events, lunch breaks, one-on-one conversations with speakers, and more, you\u2019ll be doing a lot of conversing. Inevitably, your mouth will get dry and dehydration may set in, which are both things we want to avoid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1. A stack of business cards.<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        I know what you\u2019re thinking: \u201cI\u2019m in college. Why would I have a business card?\u201d Here are three reasons you should bring a small stack of cards with your name, PRSSA Chapter, personal email, phone number, and LinkedIn profile link:<\/p>\n\n\n\n