5 top tips to get the most out of attending a conference

What’s not to love about attending a conference? From free food and exciting networking opportunities to insightful sessions and a room full of experts, the opportunities are endless. And at our Youth Marketing Strategy events, we want to empower you to take full advantage of what’s in store.

YMS is a conference like no other - bringing together the biggest brands and names in the youth marketing industry, our events are two-day spectaculars of Gen Z trends, content, perspectives, and insights. 

But how can you get the most out of attending a conference and what’s in store for you at YMS this year? Check out our top tips below…

1. Create your conference plan ahead of time

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. 

To make the most out of your conference experience, be sure to check out the agenda ahead of time. Not only will this help you to bookmark exactly which talks you want to attend, but it’ll also give you plenty of time to prep questions - and there’s always time for a Q&A session at YMS! 

Our YMS speakers often stick around after their sessions to network or attend other talks, so you’ll have plenty of time to catch up with people and make new connections. 

Here’s a quick taster of what’s to come at our YMS events this year: 

• Harnessing the Power of Content Creators to Drive Social Growth 
• The Experiential Boom: Creative Strategies That Are Winning 
• Are Brands Failing Gen Z in the Fight For Gender Equality?
• The Transition to Zalpha and What That Means for Ecommerce Brands 

You can explore the YMS NYC and YMS LDN agendas here.

2. Be present

Remember, you’ve come not to a conference to learn and network, not to reply to emails and chase clients. Be sure to put your out-of-office on and immerse yourself in the experience - connect with other attendees and take the time to really talk. 

Our YMS events have designated working areas, stands, and network spaces, so you won’t want to miss a thing (or a freebie!). 

3. Divide and conquer

If you’re bringing coworkers to an event, be sure to split up in order to attend as much as possible. By researching the agenda beforehand and assigning sessions to one another, you can maximize your learning and share your findings.

Or why not regroup at lunchtime at one of our YMS food trucks to share your key takeaways with colleagues? All the best conversations happen over food, after all. 

And don’t just take it from us - BAM’s Managing Director described YMS as “the best youth marketing event anywhere in Europe.”

P.S. Clients of Pion receive twofree tickets, so check that out here. 

4. Be organized

Conferences can be information-heavy, and we really jampack the days at YMS! From live entertainment and insightful panels to meetings and happy hours, there can be a lot to digest throughout the event. And that’s why one of our top tips is to be organized. 

Our advice? Take clear notes, connect on LinkedIn, bring your laptop, and write down people’s names and job titles. That way, when you return to the office, you’ll be reaping the benefits of YMS for weeks to come. Take note from one attendee from Birmingham City University, who shared with us: “Reading through the pages of notes I made at YMS, I can’t wait to feedback to my team about the inspiring and useful insights!”.

5. Don't forget to follow up with your connections

Strike while the iron’s hot!

You’ve connected on LinkedIn, you’ve grilled speakers during Q&A sessions and you’ve toasted the end of another day at our Cocktail Hour, but don’t leave all that hard-earned networking at the event gates… 

To get the most out of a conference, be sure to follow up with contacts post-event. And don’t forget to include a personalized message about where you met - perhaps mention sessions you previously discussed or reference questions you asked. 

‍Like what you’ve read and want to join in on the fun? You can secure your tickets for YMS NYC (20 - 21st March 2024) and YMS LDN (June 2024) now.

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