Risk

How to Get the Most Out of ASIS 2017

August 9, 2017 | 4 min read
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The ASIS Annual Seminar (ASIS 2017) is the premier event for security professionals worldwide. The conference offers industry-leading education, business connections, and the latest trends and technologies in security solutions. If you’re not attending ASIS 2017, you’re missing out on huge opportunities to improve your business.

Even if you are attending ASIS this year, you could still miss out—if you don’t arrive with a plan to make the most of the conference. There’s more to ASIS than sessions, speakers, and exhibitors. Here are the best tips you’ll find to make the most of ASIS 2017.

Connect With Clients and Colleagues

Conferences like ASIS are prime opportunities to get face-to-face in front of clients, prospects, and thought leaders. But do your homework ahead of time to get the most out of the opportunity—know before you leave town who is going to ASIS 2017. Look at the booth list, email your clients, and send out a newsletter asking if anyone wants to connect. Poll LinkedIn groups and find out if anyone would like to meet. Even a 15-minute in-person conversation can be a huge investment for future business relationships.

Do as much networking as possible, even informally. Introduce yourself to the person sitting next to you at a session or at lunch. Watch for networking events, meetups, and after-parties.

Skip Sessions

ASIS has some terrific sessions, but that doesn’t mean you need to attend every one of them. Don’t hesitate to skip a session if a better opportunity opens up, or if you need an hour to recharge. And if a session is a bust, get up and discreetly leave—you’re not a captive audience.

Do Some Guerilla Marketing

Just because you don’t have a booth, that doesn’t mean you can’t generate new leads and win new customers. Bring business cards, flyers, and a tablet with you so you’ll be prepared to talk about your products and/or services.

But don’t be a used-car salesman—not everyone is your customer, and not everyone is ready to buy what you’re selling. Be smart, sensitive, and helpful when you’re talking about your business.

Leave the Conference

There’s a lot of business opportunities in the area outside of ASIS. Before the conference, set up meetings with local organizations in your niche industry. For example, if you specialize in school security, contact the local school district to try and arrange a meeting.

Discover New Tools and Technologies

Speaker sessions aren’t the only place to learn about new trends or tips of the trade. Check out the exhibitor booths to learn about the latest developments in security technologies. Many of these exhibitors can help you become more profitable and get ahead of the competition.

Meet the Speakers

Attend the sessions of speakers and thought leaders you want to learn from. After the session, introduce yourself and tell them you’d like to pick their brain. Ask to meet over lunch or drinks later on.

Make Your Notes Actionable

Those insightful, thought-provoking sessions aren’t any good to you if you don’t apply them. Take notes that capture the information AND challenge yourself to make changes or take new actions. Otherwise, what’s the point?

Learn from Other Attendees

Talk with other attendees each day about what they’re getting out of the conference. Make dinner appointments with colleagues, and travel together or room together so that you’ll have natural opportunities to debrief each day.

Ditch Your Devices

Email, social media, and business calls are convenient distractions that get in the way of your mission—to get the most out of the ASIS conference. If it’s not absolutely necessary, don’t take that call or answer that email until you get back home. Electronic devices are an easy time-suck that’ll eat up opportunities you’ll only have at the conference.

Take Care of Yourself

Conferences can be stressful on your mind and body, and ASIS is no exception. If you’re not taking care of yourself, you’ll have a miserable time at ASIS. Make sure you’re doing the following:

  • Stay hydrated
  • Eat well
  • Wear comfortable shoes—you’ll be walking a lot
  • Carry only the essentials
  • Take breaks during the day
  • Spend at least a few minutes outside each day
  • Get plenty of sleep
  • Unplug the TV in your hotel room

Follow up Afterwards

A convention is worthless if you don’t follow up with your new contacts and action items when you get back home. Do it immediately—send follow-up emails the first day back (or even on your flight home). Spend the first week debriefing with your team and making good on those actionable notes you took during the conference.

Meet with Circadian Risk

Last but not least, be sure to connect with us at ASIS 2017. We’ll be at ASIS all week and we’d love to get to know you. Look for Circadian Risk—or better yet, contact us ahead of time about meeting up at the convention.

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