As a first-time attendee of the SHRM National Conference and newbie on the Blog Squad, I must admit that I was a little taken aback when I heard that there were over 15,000 people involved. If you are a first-time attendee, you might be intimated by this. Don’t be. Here are some useful ideas to make your experience much easier.
Make sure you have comfortable shoes. McCormick Place is HUGE. It is like a little city. For those wearing a device that tracks your steps, you just might break any record you have had thus far. For this reason, bring those shoes that are tried and true. You will be glad you did.
You want to make sure that with all that walking around you drink enough liquids to keep yourself well hydrated. Being hydrated will keep your brain working well and increase your energy level. There are some foods and alternatives to water that help you hydrate. Check this out: 10 ways to stay hydrated
If you have ever been to any conference, you know that rooms can get chilly. Systems are set for rooms that will be full of humans exuding body heat. If a room fits 1,000 people and you are the first one there, it’s cold. Layering your clothes will give you the option of always being comfortable. This comfort will allow you to be more present and absorb all of the valuable information and new contacts with more exuberance.
USE THE APP. The SHRM18 App is designed to allow you the opportunity before your arrival to decide what it is you want to experience. Although you can always change your mind, having a pre-determined plan can alleviate feeling overwhelmed. Six tracks will be highlighted. Pick a lane. You cannot become an expert in every category in a few days, but you can concentrate on one or two and get alternative perspectives. If there are a few of you from the same business, split up and get double or triple the value. Here are the six tracts.
Business and HR Strategy
Global HR
HR Compliance
Professional Development
Talent Management
Total Rewards
In the app you can search by keywords, day, track and more. Get it here: SHRM18 App
Take time for the vendors. Besides having very cool giveaways, you might learn about a new tool that will increase your engagement, save you money or make your job easier. I know in Las Vegas at the Talent Management conference I learned about great ideas I wasn’t even aware I wanted to know. In the app is list of all the vendors and a map so you can see where they are. Take advantage here: Exhibitor Map
Be prepared. The more you can do before you arrive, the more successful a time you will have. I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can. Podcasting is my passion and I am happy to share my knowledge with you about how your organization can benefit from this medium. Seek me out if you have questions.
Julie Ann Sullivan is your Catalyst of Culture. Her diverse background gives her a unique perspective as a business culture expert. She earned a BA in Psychology and an MBA in Accounting, earning the designation of CPA. Julie Ann is a Professional Member of the National Speakers Association, C-Suite Network Advisor and a proud member of the SHRM Blog Squad. Julie Ann is the host of the Mere Mortals Unite and Businesses that Care podcasts. Her newest book is titled, Catalysts of Culture – How Visionary Leaders Activate the Employee Experience. She works with companies to catapult their business from the inside, out. She lives in Pittsburgh with her Wonder Dog, Joy.
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