Advice for Newcomers?

At ISTE, we're working on creating a web page full of useful information for first-time conference attendees. To all you returning attendees, what is your advice for newcomers?

What did you wish you knew before your first conference?

What did you do differently your second time around?

What is one tip or trick everyone should know?

I'll take as little or as much input as you want to provide, anything you think would be helpful.

Thanks!

Tags: newbie, newcomers

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Permalink Reply by Sonny Mattera on May 27, 2012 at 5:27am

-Wear comfortable shoes.

-Pack some snacks in case you're in a long session.

-Bring a notepad in case your electronic device runs out of battery life.

-If you have a lengthy approval process to attend, I would start paperwork in January. Airline prices skyrocket (Delta went from $500 up to $800), some of the best hotels book up, and all of the good workshops fill up by April.

Before my first conference, I wish I knew to pick backup sessions in case my primary session was full.

My second time around, I heavily planned with groupon coupons for certain meals and also what sites I wanted to see around the city. I tried to lay out the exhibit hall to make sure that I was going specifically to the booths that I wanted to see first. If I had more down time, I would wander around and see new products.

My one tip is that you should plan your time at ISTE to ensure that you get the most out of it, but also plan your time outside of ISTE. I know some people would rather go back to their room and relax, but with every year I try to top my experience with something new and more exciting.

This year, the Vans Warped Tour will be on the evening of the last day of the conference.

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Permalink Reply by Kimberlee Wicker on May 29, 2012 at 2:48pm

Good to know. Thanks for the info!

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Permalink Reply by Joel Shimoji on June 4, 2012 at 5:32am

1) Don't live and die by your planner. It causes unnecessary stress.

2) Apply the rule of two feet. If a session doesn't meet your needs... walk out.
This is a good reason to have backup sessions.

3) Go off piste. Spend some time in the Newbie's lounge and the social events. Also,
spend some at the ISTE store and the display hall. With over 500 vendors present,
they'll have something you'll need.

4) Bring a water bottle with you. Fill it with ice and water at your hotel.

5) If you've been to Disneyland or Disneyworld, follow the same protocols; eat at off
hours, know where the bathrooms are, carry water and snacks with you, (don't buy
inside the park), wear comfortable walking shoes.

6) Arrive at your sessions early. Once the room fills up, you could be shut out.

7) Keep a map of the convention center handy in case you need to change sessions.

8) Consider reserving ample space in your suitcase. The amount of swag that the
companies give away is ridiculous. I know of people who bring an extra suitcase
just for swag.

9) Consider bringing a briefcase or backpack to keep your hands free. With maps,
smartphones, swag, snacks, purchases, and the daily updates, you'll need something
to carry all of it.

10) Wear casual clothing. Summer's here and it's been a loooong school year. Leave
your teaching clothes at home.

11) Travel light. If you own a tablet, leave the laptop at home.

Enjoy your experience at ISTE 2012.

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Permalink Reply by Tova Targin on June 19, 2012 at 4:00am

One more thing. Bring a power strip for hotel to charge devices. That was the best advice to newbies i received last year

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Permalink Reply by Joel Shimoji on June 7, 2012 at 3:20pm

Oh, one more thing; being overwhelmed is NORMAL.

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Permalink Reply by David Demello on June 12, 2012 at 6:25am

One of the most useful things I realised in my very first year at ISTE was to get a backpack! What a relief to have handsfree..and a place to keep all those 'thingys' that you collect. There's a LOT of walking involved, of course, so comfortable shoes were a great help too.

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Permalink Reply by Joan Young on June 13, 2012 at 8:10pm

Hi there,

Not sure if it's too late to share this but I wrote some of my mistakes made at last year's conference which was my first ISTE! Here is the link.. http://allkidscanflourish.blogspot.com/2011/06/11-mistakes-i-made-a...

Hope to meet many new faces there very soon!

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Permalink Reply by Steven Isaacs on June 14, 2012 at 11:53am

This will be my first ISTE and I am super psyched. I was fortunate enough to be invited to present with Brainpop so I believe a lot of my time is accounted for and that's fine (might be less stress trying to figure out every workshop to attend, etc.). I'll take in the whole experience. However, I think I made my first rookie mistake. I figure the conference was Monday - Wednesday so made my travel plans to arrive on Sunday evening. Well, I'm bummed that I will miss the Keynote (I love Sir Ken Robinson) and some of the earlier activities (#edchat meetup, Saturday pre-conference events, etc.). So, I'm trying to put it behind me and embrace the awesomeness that awaits. If you see me, please don't tell me how incredible Ken Robinson and the panel keynote were :)

See you in San Diego!!!

@mr_isaacs

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Permalink Reply by Adina Sullivan on June 14, 2012 at 2:12pm

Others have said much of this but here are a few of the ideas I always try to remember:

Comfortable shoes - You'll do more walking than you think!
Casual clothing
A light sweater for cold meeting rooms
Don't get stuck in the vendor hall. Absolutely stop by, but get into sessions as well.
Talk to the people. I'm an introvert, but some of the best connections I've made were from personal conversations. Stop by the Newbie Lounge - This is a great way to meet a few new people.
If you'll be in town Saturday, join us at SocialEdCon - a great free unconference!

Traveling to San Diego? I always end up spending a lot of time research the city I'm going to for ISTE. Since ISTE is in my hometown this year (Yay $ savings!) I've set up a google site that may help those coming to town for the conference ISTE12SanDiego Hope it helps!

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Permalink Reply by Stephanie D Sandifer on June 14, 2012 at 6:34pm

Ditto what everyone else has said so far!

Bring comfortable shoes and casual clothing. Check the weather ahead of time to be sure that you are packing the right kind of clothing.

Light sweater or jacket for the conference rooms (I have a favorite very light packable jacket that adds almost no extra weight to my bag but does the job of keeping me warm in chilly conference halls).

Pack snacks and at least a bottle of water. I never know what might be available in the conference center, and it is often so expensive anyway. I prefer to pack my own if possible.

Use your planner, but don't "over plan" and don't live by your planner. Be prepared to be flexible and be willing to change your mind during the day -- go with the flow.

If there is a session you absolutely MUST attend, get there as early as possible. I've seen sessions fill up 30 minutes before start time.

Be prepared to be overwhelmed but don't get stressed about it. Try to find some humor in it and enjoy yourself.

Do bring a pen & notepad -- even if you, like myself, prefer to type your notes on your tablet, iPad, or laptop. I bring a pen & notepad because 1) by the end of the day I may no longer have battery power and 2) it's just easier to jot down quick notes if pulling the tablet or laptop out of my bag isn't easily done due to time or space.

Don't be shocked if wifi is weak. This is a very big and very "connected" conference that puts a strain on even the best infrastructure. Be prepared for this so you don't become stressed out over it.

Don't be shy. Say "Hi" and make new friends. Always.

Try to have lunch and dinner with others -- especially if you've just met them. It's such a great way to get to know other people and have conversations about what they are doing at their schools.

And on both of those points -- look up and don't keep your face glued to a screen. Put devices away when chatting with others over a cup of coffee, lunch, or dinner. Save the "out to dinner with __, ___, __, and ___..." tweet for later when you are back at your hotel room.

Try to take some time out to explore the city. Yes, you are there for the conference, but conferences are held in cities where there are usually lots of things to do and see -- and this is for a reason! I've got a very busy schedule for ISTE this year, but Sunday is mine and I plan to spend it by seeing a bit of the area and getting a little down time (you might find me by the hotel pool late that afternoon!)