Welcome to Aging in America, the annual conference of the American Society on Aging (ASA). You will find this conference is an amazing learning and networking experience! As with life in general, the more you put into it, the more you will receive in return.  Everyone comes to our conference to learn, so if you take the opportunities to share your knowledge, experience and insights with your fellow attendees, most if not all will be receptive and happy to reciprocate

The advice listed below was solicited from conference evaluations provided by previous first-time attendees. If you would like to add to this “living document,” please contact me directly.  You can also call or email me with any questions or feedback about the meeting: jmandoki@asaging or 415.974.9630.

-Jutka Mándoki, Manager, Member Relations

Before the Conference

• Bookmark the conference website since it’s regularly updated with important information.
• Before you arrive in Chicago, create a learning plan designed to give you the knowledge and resources to make a difference when you return to work.  To do this most effectively, use the Search the Sessions and the Itinerary Planner features on the conference website.
• If you’re not already on Twitter, get on and follow @asaging and the #aia13 hashtag. You’ll meet lots of influential folks and enjoy a handy tool for seeing what’s trending. Click here to learn more about social media at Aging in America.
• Check out optional events since they’re educational and great for networking. There are also excellent site visits scheduled each year.
• Book your hotel early to make sure you get the group rate. Please book your room at the official conference hotel and help ASA keep the conference affordable!
• Check the weather reports ahead of time and pack accordingly to be prepared.

Onsite

• Be sure to attend the First-Time Attendee Orientation, scheduled for Tuesday, March 12 from 2:30 to 3:30 PM.
• Participate in the Peer Group meetings that are of interest to you. These informal discussions on specific topics (such as caregiving), disciplines (such as social work) and practice areas are scheduled for the evenings of Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 5:45 to 6:45 PM.
• Meet people. How? Listen for comments made by the speakers and audience, and connect around those comments. Ask questions and exchange contact information.
• Be open to changing what sessions you attend, based on whom you meet.  Apply the “law of 2 feet.”  If a session is not working for you, leave.  It’s your right to learn where, what and how you prefer!  Go to another session or meet with people casually to network and chat.
• Try to show up a bit early.  Popular sessions fill up fast. Arriving early aids your networking and ensures that you’ll get your first choice of session.
• You might see people warmly greeting one another and feel like a bit of an outsider. Please, don’t!  Everyone was a first-timer once. Don’t be shy. Tell people you are new with a smile on your face, ask questions, and you will likely receive warm greetings and helpful advice.
• Go to sessions and exchange business cards with everyone you meet.  You chose the same session; you may share similar interests.
• Break the ice by asking others what sessions they plan to attend or have already attended. Find out why they chose the session(s) and what they learned.
• Above all, be certain to enjoy yourself! If you’re having fun, it will show and you will be a friendly face that will attract other attendees and new experiences. 

After the conference

• Send follow-up messages to everyone who shared contact information. Phone calls and emails are fine, but you might consider hand-written notes. They’re old-fashioned and likely to be appreciated. However you choose to contact those who respond, keep the relationship active throughout the year.
• Continue networking and using the other tools ASA has set up (e.g., your membership grants you access to all ASA web seminars, often elaborating upon topics addressed at the conference).  Our blog features lots of engageing articles and you’re welcome to post comments. These, and other tools such as our publications, are great mechanisms for learning and connecting.
• Mark your calendar to attend next year’s conference, scheduled in San Diego, CA, March 11-15, to build upon the new relationships of this year’s event.

ASA would like to acknowledge the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) for the original content of this document, which has been slightly adapted by ASA.