Quick Question: How should I prepare for the AALL Annual Meeting?

In preparation for the AALL Annual Meeting, we asked TS & OBS members for their advice and recommendations for first-time Annual Meeting attendees.

Below are some great ideas that will help prepare first-time attendees for the meeting.

What one session (or event) would you recommend to a TS or OBS member who is a first-time Annual Meeting attendee?

CONELL

• Attend CONELL. It's a great way to get to know the Association and to meet other first-time attendees.
• CONELL attendees get a special ribbon to wear, this signals to others that you are new, and so many people will come and welcome you.

TS/OBS meetings

• Attend TS-SIS and OBS-SIS committee meetings. Anyone is allowed to attend, even if you are not a committee member, unless the session is marked as "closed" on the schedule.
• Attend the OBS-SIS Business Meeting (Sunday at 6:15PM) and the TS-SIS Awards/Meet & Greet (Monday at 5:30PM). Meet people in your SIS and people who are on committees you might be interested in joining. 

More educational opportunities

• Look for round tables. These are typically open to all attendees and allow you to make connections with people who share similar interests. Many are listed on the online schedule under "All Meetings and Events."
• Check out Discussion Dens and Poster Sessions. These typically focus on specific topics and can be great learning opportunities. Go to Calls for Great Ideas for a list of topics.
• Some caucus business meetings have educational programming as part of their meetings.
• Attend one session that is far removed from your regular work. If you read the program description and don't know what it is about, go to that one.

Exhibit Hall

• Spend time in the exhibit hall. It's a good way to understand the profession and get to know the vendors we work with. 
• Check out the "Activities Area" during exhibit hall breaks. SIS's, Caucus, and Chapters have posters there about what they do. There will usually be a volunteer at each poster and it's a great way to have one-on-one or small group conversations with people who share your same interests. This is also a good way to get program suggestions on the fly - ask people at the posters what they're going to next.

Receptions

• Attend as many receptions and focus groups as you can.
• Attend a Dine-Around. It's a smaller group setting where you'll get to know other AALL members better.

That said...

• Don't feel obligated to go to a session during every single block. A conference can feel like a marathon you're sprinting through and you'll be happier if you pace yourself. 

Do you have any tips or advice for first-time attendees that they won't find in the conference brochure?

Prepare

• Create a schedule. If there is a specific session you want to attend, write yourself a note about it now so you can remember why when you get to the conference.
• Before the conference, take time to think about your career goals. With those goals in mind, determine what events/activities at the conference will best help you achieve those goals.
• And/or, create goals for yourself specifically for what you want to accomplish at the conference.

Be a joiner

• If you haven't already, join your respective practice group's SIS, i.e., if you work in an Academic Law Library, join ALL. If you work in a private firm, join PLL. Attend their programming. It's a great way to know what's happening in your area.
• Become active in the organization. Newer librarians can feel uncomfortable joining in right away, but there are ways to be active without being a board member. The Annual Conference is a great time to find out what opportunities are available. 
• Join a caucus. There's no fee to join.

Take breaks

• Make time in your schedule to take a break and get some quiet time. Just a half hour outside of the conference center will refresh you so you can make the most out of the conference. 
• Locate a coffee shop that is the farthest you can walk to in 15 minutes. This one will likely be far less buy than the coffee shops near the conference center.
• Try to follow the 2-4-6-8 plan. Have 2 real meals a day. Get off your feet for at least 4 hours a day. Try to get 6 hours of sleep at night. Have 8 glasses of water per day. Remember: Eat well, relax, rest, and keep hydrated!

Your badge

• Wear your conference badge close to your face so people don't need to read your chest/tummy to find out who you are. 
• Don't forget to take your name badge off once you leave the conference center.

Dress for comfort

• Only wear comfortable shoes. You'll be doing a lot of walking. 
• Dress in layers. It will be hot outside in Washington DC but could be cold in the conference center. 

Freebies!

• Bring a large Ziplock bag for small freebies and pens.
• Take advantage of the free food!
• If you have them, bring your business cards. They can come in handy for entering raffles and of course, sharing your contact information.
• While in the exhibit hall, pick up the freebies and enter raffles, it's a great way to get to know the vendors.

Lastly...

• Find a balance (everyone's is different) between educational activities (programs, SIS programs, exhibit hall, etc.), networking, and fun/socializing.
• Don't be shy! Easier said than done for some, but important to get the most out of the conference.😊

Thank you to all of those who contributed! If you have any suggestions, please feel free to leave them for us in the comments.