While I feel like I am still processing my Alt Summit experience as a whole, I have some Alt tips that I want to share in case you plan to attend Alt (or any other conference for that matter).
1. It doesn’t matter what you wear. Dress for you + have fun! I cannot stress this enough. I packed an outfit for each day and due to the weather ending up wearing clothes that were for my flights instead. No one noticed. The world didn’t end. (Unless less there’s a dress, then please follow it, just don’t stress out about it!)
2. You will regret overpacking. Especially if you are trying not to check any bags. You get A LOT of stuff at Alt. from business cards and coupons, to samples and door prizes. Having space in your luggage is a MUST. Unless you’re local. Then I envy you.
3. Sit in the front. This was a personal preference, but here me out. By sitting in the front row during sessions when ever I raised my hand the presenters noticed and I always got my questions answered. I could hear + see everything. After the sessions I was able to quickly run up and chat one-on-one with the presenters if I needed.
4. Have a thought or idea while at Alt? Write. It. Down. You do not want to forget it, and who knows you may get inspired to do the next big thing!
5. Step out of you comfort zone. If you have ever said you’re really fun or loud once you get to know me, then I’m talking to you! That’s me + typically I avoid social interactions at all costs. Unless I’m drunk. But by forcing myself to speak to others at Alt I made a ton of great connections. Like, I saw someone with the same camera bag as me. I went over to say hi + turns out it was Candice Stringham who is teaching a DSLR class via A Beautiful Mess! She even gave me a discount code to use in the A Beautiful Mess shop, which I will obviously be using to take her class. Like, what?! Imagine if I had missed that opportunity? I’d seriously have to kick myself.
Have you ever attended Alt Summit or another conference of some sort? What tips or takeaways do you have?
All photos in this post were obtained from the Alt Summit Flickr Photostream.
Girl, you nailed it.
Even without the cookie tips? LOL
I am totally there with you about “avoiding social interactions unless I’m drunk thing.” It’s good that you are putting yourself out there and it seem like it paid off! 🙂 I need to do things like this, but having 2 kids makes it hard 🙁
Kristina, I thought of you while I was there! There was a surprising amount of mommy bloggers at Alt, I’ll see if they have any mommy specific tips + make sure to share them with you!
Good tips! I got so nervous about what to wear before but while I noticed some people looked spectacular not once did I look at someone and think “what was she thinking?” I just loved meeting everyone and hearing about what they do. It was so nice meeting you I hope we get to see each other in real life again!
Me too! I spent 90% of my packing thinking about what to wear and really shouldn’t have. Alt was such a fantastic experience! I’m so glad we were able to meet + how we meet again as well!
Loved these tips! How did I not see you at Alt! I was there, too!
Wish we had been able to meet at Alt! Sorry that we didn’t 🙁
great tips and I was glad to meet you!!
It was great meeting you too!! xx
Oh my gosh Bethany, you’re killing me with that top photo! Those cookies were so darn good, and I was sadly too full to eat all of mine (because they were flippin’ massive).
Fantastic tips! Big yes to the luggage one. I always want to just bring a carry on but I know that’s a fools hope! Or the mastery of a luggage guru
HAHAHAHA! Tan, I wish I had saved enough room to pack some of them! Thanks so much for checking out my post! xx
I couldn’t used this list before attending. I definitely overpacked and I need a kick in the rear about stepping outside of my comfort zone. Too much time locked in my apartment by myself has caused me to regress a bit socially 🙂 So glad I got to meet you and enjoyed chatting a bit!!
Glad we got to chat too! I wish I had challenged myself a bit more to be a tad more outgoing, but I feel like we did pretty OK. xx