There is a very big difference between attending a conference and actually showing up for one.
Attending means you bought the ticket, packed the bag, glanced at the schedule, and made it into the room.
Showing up means you decided who you wanted to be before you ever arrived.
In this episode, I’m sharing how I prepare for conferences both logistically and emotionally, why I believe conferences are what you make of them, and the very true story of how I arrived at Social Media Marketing World as a regular attendee and left as one of the emcees.
Yes. That actually happened.
It started with filling out the conference app, replying to a message, agreeing to be a backup, and packing an extra outfit “just in case.”
Then, halfway through lunch, I got the call.
This episode is about being ready when the unexpected opportunity arrives, making yourself visible before anyone knows your name, and increasing the surface area for good things to find you.
Because sometimes showing up looks like introducing yourself at the party.
Sometimes it looks like hosting the 7:00 a.m. breakfast meetup.
And sometimes it looks like running through a convention center with half a burrito still in your mouth because someone needs you onstage.
In this episode:
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The difference between simply attending and fully showing up
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How to decide who you want to be before a conference begins
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Why filling out the conference app actually matters
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The small decision that led to an unexpected emcee opportunity
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How I prepared myself to be seen before I knew I would be onstage
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The emotional shift from attendee to emcee
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Why staying ready makes it easier to say yes
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How conferences increase the surface area for opportunity
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What happened when I was the only person who replied
Whether you are heading to NACE, WIPPACON, CFWA, Engage, Wedding MBA, or a conference in a completely different industry, this episode will help you think beyond your ticket and your travel plans.
The real question is not simply whether you are going.
It is: How are you going to show up once you get there?
Follow me on Instagram for all of the conference shenanigans: @reneedalo
And come find me on TikTok, where I go live on Wednesdays around noon Pacific to unpack whatever WedTok is talking about that week: @thereneedalo
Watch the podcast on YouTube and leave a comment telling me which conference you are attending next.
And remember: pack the extra outfit.