I can feel the excitement among my colleagues all over the world as everyone prepares for and travels to the upcoming 38th International Seating Symposium (ISS) which will be held in Pittsburgh, PA, US this week. It will be the first time for many to see each other after several years of hiatus when face to face events were not possible. Imagine a big international family reunion, it will be fabulous!
The International Seating Symposium (ISS) is the world’s largest academic conference in the field of seating, mobility, and assistive technology for people with disabilities. ISS draws key stakeholders from the continuum of care: clinicians, researchers, manufacturers, suppliers, consumers, and more.
Whether you are planning to attend for the first time or (like me) have been attending for longer than you care to remember, it’s undeniable that a conference of this caliber can be incredibly advantageous for our professional growth.
Now, those of you who know me know that I have been attending conferences like this around the world for over 30 years as a presenter, and as much as I absolutely love the buzz that is palpable after presenting a workshop or paper, I decided after the International Seating Symposium (ISS) in 2019 that it was time for me to transition from being a key speaker to being solely an attendee while encouraging and mentoring upcoming speakers.
This year unfortunately I will not be in attendance at ISS but none the less I want to share a bit about what I’ve learned about conferences over the years to hopefully help someone get the most out of their experience.
Let’s start with a rundown of why conferences are great:
One of the best parts about a conference like this for me has always been the networking – or as some may say socializing. I’m lucky to have incredible friends and colleagues who have been part of the Seating, Posture & Mobility world for years, and conferences are always a fantastic place to catch up and exchange.
Along with the opportunity to socialize, it is an ideal opportunity to hear the latest research related to this area of practice. With a huge variety of topics from ‘early intervention’ and ‘inclusion’ to assessing risk for pressure injuries, reviewing the strategies used to prescribe wheelchair seat cushions to manual wheelchair configuration and powered mobility with standing for paediatrics for example, speakers from all over the globe will bring their best presentations filled with cases, facts, and stats that will be immediately applicable to our practices.
Between filling our heads with great information during the presentations, we must also take full advantage of the exhibit hall, filled with sparkling booths showcasing technology that highlights product innovation and resources underlining professional excellence. There are countless opportunities to meet the manufacturers, distributers, clinical leaders, business extraordinaries, and educational powerhouses that steer this professional community while walking around the exhibit hall with curiosity and excitement.
All of this sounds amazing, but for many it can also be overwhelming. Looking at a loaded schedule with speakers who are all discussing topics of interest, or wandering aimlessly through the exhibit hall trying to make sense of which way is up and how to carry all of the treats you’re collecting on the way can be a lot for even the most experienced attendee. I remember feeling totally overwhelmed before I figured out a plan for how to navigate, customized for me!
Some things I find helpful to consider when planning to organize my time and energy to get the most out of the experience include:
The Sessions
Glance through the schedule and finding 2-5 sessions per day that catch your attention immediately.
Read up on the speakers who are delivering the information – this can include the brief bio and a quick google search.
Know that presentations are typically about technology (products), clinical practice, or research, so choosing sessions based on what is interesting and applicable to you is important.
Presentations about technology (products) are often given or sponsored by a company. They can be informative and applicable but be conscious of potential bias.
Sessions focusing on clinical practice are often presented by practicing clinicians, but not always, which can effect the applicability and depth of knowledge shared.
Research focused sessions can be information heavy and it’s important to check that the population, intervention, or product that will be discussed is applicable to your own practice.
Make an itinerary for each day to ensure there are no overlapping sessions and to plan breaks throughout the day for resting, reflecting, and, more likely than not, socializing.
Try not to overload your schedule or expect yourself to attend every single session.
Identify the most important sessions for you to attend and plan around them.
Use the ISS attendee hub!
Once you have an idea of what presentations you’d like to attend and have looked into who is presenting, jot down 2-5 questions you have based on the title/abstract. This can help you stay engaged during a presentation (which can be hard for all of us when there’s SO much information coming in!) and can help you form questions to ask during the Q&A!
If there’s a speaker you are really excited about seeing, make a point to thank them after their session and share your biggest take-away, or ask a follow-up question about their talk.
It’s easy to get carried away in the exhibit hall. Take your time when you first arrive and walk around to get an idea of what’s on display. If something catches your eye, take note and come back to it later.
Bring a bag! Some tables in the exhibit hall may have free bags for those who get there first, but having your own bag will be helpful for carrying around the pamphlets, pens, bottles of water, and all the other takeaways that come with the conference.
Be aware that different manufacturers market their products in different ways by using different descriptors. This can be confusing when you are trying to compare products or determine what might work for a particular case or service user
Ask questions. Loads of questions. Especially if you’ve just come out of a presentation about a particular product – use your new knowledge and ask ask ask!
If you are really interested in networking, bring some business cards and have your social media handles on hand. But be sure not to just hand them out – instead, ask questions, tell a joke, and share your professional experiences and unique perspective to make a lasting impression!
To help myself years ago I created a simple checklist to take with me to exhibit halls to help me learn more about certain products. You might have seen this in our blog Key Features of a Back Support and Key Features of a Seat Cushion.
Conferences are amazing opportunities for connection, collaboration, and growth. It’s up to each and every one of us to make the most out of the experience, and when we do, the possibilities are endless.
I wish all participants and exhibitors a fantastic conference and I look forward to hearing about all the most up to date research, practice advice and product innovations.
What are your top tips for attending a conference? Share in the comments below!