Attending a conference--very anxious

[Naturalist]

In May I will be presenting at a professional conference in Florida. I have only presented at a conference once before, and that conference was in driving distance and I carpooled with my boss. He helped with all the arrangements and was there to help me navigate the social events at the conference.

This time, I will be attending alone. It is much more distant so I will be flying out and staying a week. I have requested a single room and have purchased plane tickets but I am nervous about lining up all the other logistics such as shuttles, check-in etc. Worse, I am really anxious about having to interact with others on my own for a week. It's important that I do so, because I am at the beginning of my career and need the networking, but I am so nervous about the impression I will make. I don't know what to say to people or how to dress--last conference I was the only one wearing a suit the entire weekend and I really stood out.

It helps that the subject of the conference is one of my special interests. The one time I was very successful with travel on my own was when I did summer research in Great Britain, and I planned everything myself and made all the arrangements. It was a very efficient and enjoyable trip. But I also had very few people with whom I had to interact, and then only on a momentary basis such as paying for train fare or ordering food or asking for a set of manuscripts or paintings. I enjoyed it a lot. But something about traveling to a set venue, for a specific social / professional event makes me feel very anxious. Like a week-long job interview... Even though it is a few months away, I get very tense every time I think about it or do something to prepare for it.

If anyone has done conferences do you have tips about questions to ask, arrangements to make or tips on "blending in" and seeming like you belong there?

 

[The Penguin]

I don't know what to say to people or how to dress-

I would contact the person organizing the conference and learn what the dress code for various events. After attending one of the sessions for the conference, you can talk to someone what you like about the session, interesting knowledge you have gain and etc. If you approach someone didn't attend your session, you can give them a wealth of knowledge.

As for questions to ask, if you have access to the speaker after the session, ask the person questions of more knowledge you want to gain for the topic. Keep doing this and it may help make it easier to speak with other people.

 

[Naturalist]

I would contact the person organizing the conference and learn what the dress code for various events. After attending one of the sessions for the conference, you can talk to someone what you like about the session, interesting knowledge you have gain and etc. If you approach someone didn't attend your session, you can give them a wealth of knowledge.

As for questions to ask, if you have access to the speaker after the session, ask the person questions of more knowledge you want to gain for the topic. Keep doing this and it may help make it easier to speak with other people.

Thanks Penguin! I am already making notes! That is a good point about deciding to interact with someone in a different session, to swap information. I will find someone to contact about the dress code. The conference site was very vague on this point. I don't have many clothing options so it would be better to know ahead if I need to buy something.

 

[The Penguin]

No problem. Despite I went to many conference, in general I'm not much the social type. However, I do try my best. I had met some interesting people at some conference.

 

[Tia Maria]

Hi Naturalist. I have attended many conferences & also made presentations. I would be happy to help you with your preparations .... either on this thread or you can private message me. Is the conference for an entire week, or a shorter period & you are just staying a full week? Does the conference or organization have a website & published schedule etc..? You are smart to start preparing early, & that should hopefully minimize your stress that week as good advance planning & knowing what to (mostly) expect makes anything easier.

 

[Naturalist]

Hi Naturalist. I have attended many conferences & also made presentations. I would be happy to help you with your preparations .... either on this thread or you can private message me. Is the conference for an entire week, or a shorter period & you are just staying a full week? Does the conference or organization have a website & published schedule etc..? You are smart to start preparing early, & that should hopefully minimize your stress that week as good advance planning & knowing what to (mostly) expect makes anything easier.

Thanks Tia Maria! I will reply more generally here, in case others pick up the thread, but I may contact you with more specific questions. The conference is for the full week (five full days plus smaller events on arrival & departure days--they are an intense lot!) and they do have a website and tentative schedule, though some of the details are still being added: SPNHC 2015 :: Florida Museum of Natural History It is at the Florida Museum of Natural History. I asked one of the organizers of the conference and was told dress was generally "business casual," but running a search for that produced a wide range of images and lots of different written descriptions about what does / does not apply. So at least now I have some idea. Since it is Florida in May, I am thinking of wearing some nice linen pants and skirts with tailored tops.

 

[Tia Maria]

Thanks Tia Maria! I will reply more generally here, in case others pick up the thread, but I may contact you with more specific questions. The conference is for the full week (five full days plus smaller events on arrival & departure days--they are an intense lot!) and they do have a website and tentative schedule, though some of the details are still being added: SPNHC 2015 :: Florida Museum of Natural History It is at the Florida Museum of Natural History. I asked one of the organizers of the conference and was told dress was generally "business casual," but running a search for that produced a wide range of images and lots of different written descriptions about what does / does not apply. So at least now I have some idea. Since it is Florida in May, I am thinking of wearing some nice linen pants and skirts with tailored tops.

Okay good. It looks like a great conference! That is not my field but I LOVE nature & would love to be there with you!! (Your wingman, or woman!) I will circle back again soon ... & I'm sure others will be pitching in. Meanwhile your outfit ideas sound perfect. I think you want to make sure too that you feel comfortable, & will be cool enough (if the weather is hot). Of course you'll be indoors mostly, but still, weather is a factor.

If you haven't already - & forgive if this is redundant - but check online for the average weather temperature in Gainesville for the same week last year ... & there are usually historical temp. averages available. So you''ll have a really good idea of what to expect temperature wise as you're selecting all your clothing.

I personally think it's better to over plan & get input that you might already know ... just to make sure that nothing is missed. And that way you'll feel the most comfortable & confident (& can enjoy yourself too!).

I'll be back .....

 

[Tia Maria]

Naturalist, I am taking a break from AC & will unlikely be back. I wish you & everyone here the very best. I especially wish you the best of luck with your conference ... & I personally feel that if you prepare well enough in advance, & also try to tamp down some of the fear & anxiety, you can get through it quite successfully.

Since I am not "on the spectrum" (as far as I am officially aware that is ) it may not be appropriate or actually helpful for me to try to be advising you for something like this conference & I may only be inadvertently adding to your stress or anxiety. Some here might even consider it from what I've been told, as trying to make you more "NT" instead of letting you approach things in your own way. You know the hippocratic oath, first do no harm. So I hope others will step up to the plate & prove their mettle.

I am wishing you every best, with your conference & beyond. I also know you are capable of anything.

 

[ASD_Geek]

I have attended conferences and have assisted a friend who presented at one before. Also, in the past, I have spoken before people and the key that works for me is being at the event early. If I arrive early, I can maybe meet a few people and have them as friendly faces to look towards during the presentation.

I am also a stickler for over-preparing. I go into an event with too much information. Nothing is worse than having more time than material.

Regarding handling others, please allow yourself for some downtime as well. When going to a conference with colleagues, we would go out for dinner after the days events and then I would retire to my hotel room while they went drinking, etc. It is during this downtime that I am able to recharge for the next day.

Plan your days, take your time, have more than enough information and take some time for yourself and you'll do great. Don't forget, this is a topic that is a special interest, so any further conversation after your presentation just opens you up to discussing one of the things that you love to discuss!