If the conference has a poster session, that's a nice opportunity because there is already an easy subject to start chatting about. If there is a vendor hall, chatting with the vendors is both a way to come out of your shell and the source of interesting things to talk about with others ("Did you see the new gadget that so-and-so is selling?") Looking like you are having a good time might need to be a little forced in the beginning if you are shy, but it helps make you look approachable. If folks have badges and identify themselves as students, those folks are often great to chat with because they are figuring out the whole networking thing, too, and will think YOU might be someone they should chat with. Their professors are often interesting people in the field. Not knowing your specialty, I might also suggest that you think about who you might really HOPE to meet (maybe someone you know is a speaker, or a museum staff person you think might attend) and do a little homework on Google to know what they look like and what project they might be working on...that helps in terms of actually getting to have a satisfying conversation with that person, but also makes for interesting conversation with colleagues. "Have you seen so-and-so? I'm really excited about the work they are doing...." Good luck! Ellen Carrlee Conservator Alaska State Museum 395 Whittier Street Juneau, AK 99801 (907) 465-2396 From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Janzen, Mark Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 12:02 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] networking Hi Bill, Conferences can be awesome sources of networking, but you have to work them. The sessions are interesting and informative, but you have to make sure to go to the other events. Evening events, professional get-togethers, and after hours events. It may cost a little, but it is worth it. If the conference has a mentor/mentoree program, sign up for that. And if there are any opportunities to volunteer for things, do so. Make sure to join and try to involve yourself in the professional organization of your choice, COMPT, NAME, RC, PACIN, etc. Getting involved with the conference and your professional organization gets your foot in the door. After that, just be yourself and chat with people. Meet directors, registrars, curators, etc. Do not make an attempt to focus your meeting of people only in your career direction. Talk to people at the dinners, on the busses, and in the sessions(before and after only please). Also make sure to talk to the vendors in the resource hall(if applicable). Many of them are also museum professionals, and great contacts. Bring plenty of business cards, and have a great time. Good luck. Mark Janzen Registrar/Collection Manager Ulrich Museum of Art Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection 316-978-5850 From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of William Freil Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 2:15 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: networking Hi, My name is Bill, and I am going to a museum conference early next week. This is a good opporuntity for me to do some networking, but I am unsure of how to do that. Does anyone have any tips? Thanks. ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).