In the excitement and pressure of a conference, convention or trade show, it’s easy to lose your grip on business etiquette. You turn into a party animal or, worse, into Gil, the Simpsons’ perennially failed salesman.
Whether your meeting is onsite or online, putting your best foot forward will strengthen your reputation and enhance your networking skills.
Speaker and Workshop Etiquette
Your etiquette should put you in mind of a gracious host and his appreciative guests, exchanging intellectual concepts and … ok, that sounded fake even as we wrote it. But you’re at a meeting to get and give some value, and your behavior will reflect that.
Audience Members
- Look Interested - Yes, it’s a sad comment on society that we must make a point of this – but we’ve seen too many gatherings where attendees are more engaged with Facebook, snacks and side-conversations than with the presenter. Put yourself in the shoes of that poor speaker: Would you want to look out on an audience of dead fish? Aim your attention forward as much as possible
Presenters
- Have mercy on Your Audience - Those PowerPoint bullets are there to reinforce, not to be recited verbatim. “Speaking is 50% education, 50% entertainment,” says TrackUr. “You will be fondly remembered–and score higher on evaluations–if you provide valuable info in a memorable way.”
Booth Etiquette
Your booth etiquette is an art form. You have about 5 seconds to attract visitors, engage and hold a visitor, so you don’t have room for faux-pas.
When you're working the booth...
- Never, Ever Ignore a Visitor - Even if you’re speaking with someone else at the moment, when you see a newcomer, give them some eye-contact and a little “be right with you” gesture.
- Don’t Pounce on Each Guest - Read your visitor’s body language – if she looks cheesed-off or overwhelmed, maybe she just needs a “happy place” to refresh. Smile, nod – maybe a short hello – and if she responds in kind, continue the conversation.
If you’re visiting a booth...
- Don't Look Like a Freebee Snatcher - At least give the impression that you’re not there just to snatch up the goodies and freebies (even if you are); give your booth host a little feedback.
Looking Good
Schmoozing is always happening. Schmoozing takes place even when you’re not aware of it. Just walking through a conference center says a lot about you.
- Dress Nice - Business casual is typical of many conferences, and even jeans are appropriate if paired with a nice ensemble. But avoid the snarky T-shirts and flip-flops.
- Don’t Hog the Wi-Fi - Conference-center Wi-Fi signals can range from merely mediocre to utter crap, and the more people using it, the slower it gets. If your data plan supports it, switch away from the hosted Wi-Fi, or wait until the crowds disperse to go online.
Online conferences and meetings can be in the form of webinars or conference calls where you basically watch and listen, or Skype-type video meetings that actually bring your smiling face in view.
A conference call in real life? If you haven't had one of these things happen during a conference call, then we need to know what you're doing right!
- RSVP - An invitation to an online meeting is one to take seriously, even if you have no intention of attending. Send your acceptance or regrets ASAP. If you must decline the invite, include a note thanking the host for inviting you.
- Mute Your Phone - No one on your call wants to know you’re enjoying a bag of Fritos during the meeting. Muting takes only moments – usually it’s *6 on a business phone – and shows great respect for the presenter and the other participants. If you need to un-mute quickly, go for #6.
- Get a Good Headset and Mike - Especially if you’re the host, you’ll want your voice to transmit as clearly as possible. With many office phones and computers, the (cheap) built-in speakers create an echo effect and transmits background noise – most distracting! Use the phone’s receiver to talk; even better, invest in some high-tech headsets.
- “Work Remotely” with Care - Attending a video or web conference from home is a great option, but background disruption can brand you as a slacker, even if you have a lot to contribute. If barking children or hollering dogs threaten to stymie your meeting, do (ahem) whatever it takes to keep your environment quiet.
- Hold Your Tongue - Absent of eye contact and body language, your voice is your only representative in a webinar or conference call. Blurting or interrupting the speaker won’t endear you to the masses. When it is time to speak, identify yourself first and keep your remarks right to the point.
- Follow up with Thanks - Because darn it, your mother was right.
*Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
*GIF's courtesy of daytinginlany.blogspot.com, multitudeofgifs.tumblr.com,
