An introvert's guide to surviving - and thriving - at your next big conference

Next week, I'll be representing Isle's Trial Reservoir program at WEFTEC 2024. It's an exciting opportunity, but I would be lying if I didn't acknowledge a tiny sliver of nervousness.

As an introvert, large crowds - like those that will inevitably pack the showroom floor at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center come Monday - are especially draining. At the same time, I am looking forward to meeting new people, catching up with old connections, and getting to learn more about the industry.

So, what's an extroverted introvert to do? Here are five of my favorite tips and tricks for getting through any major conference. [Note: I've borrowed some of these suggestions from Stacey Chazin's excellent 2023 article on Medium, which I found particularly helpful.]

1. Take regular breaks

   As an introvert, being with large groups of people drains your internal battery. Feel free to step out between events (or even during large events like mixers) to recharge. Even better, build those breaks into your schedule. I used some of my time at WEFTEC 2022 to meander the New Orleans River Walk with a cup of chicory coffee and a beignet until I felt ready to head back into the throng.

2. Be selective

   This is a hard-learned lesson, which ties into point #1: you do not have to do everything at a conference to get the most bang for your buck. Instead, review the agenda in advance and focus your efforts where they'll be most effective . If you're attending with a team of people, review the list of exhibitors and talks so that you can divide and conquer rather than shouldering the entire networking burden yourself.

3. Team up

   Even if you're traveling on your own, feel free to reach out in advance to find another kindred spirit who might be willing to "work the room" with you at networking events. For example, I knew that other AAAS STPF Fellows (or Fellow alumni) were likely to attend the AGU Fall Meeting, so I always made a point to reach out to the group in advance to find folks to meet up with.

4. Leverage alternate strategies for networking

   As someone who personally loathes cocktail mixers (how do you hold a conversation with someone while juggling a glass of wine in one hand and a paper plate in another?), I always try to find ways to interface with smaller groups in a more comfortable setting. Get a coffee, take a walking break, grab a drink at the convention hotel later on... Some of my best conversations at conferences have even happened while waiting in line for a food truck at lunch.

   
   

   Attending talks also gives a ready-made conversation starter ("Great presentation! Could you tell me more about..."), and is a great way to show support for fellow young professionals. And remember that it's always fine to schedule a later follow up conversation when you both are back at your desks.

5. Give yourself - and others - grace

   Remember that by the end of the conference, you - and everyone else - will be tired. Conversations might be shorter, or not as "productive"... and that's ok! Try to set reasonable goals for yourself before the conference about what you can realistically achieve, but don't beat yourself up if you don't manage to hit all of them. Remember that there will always be opportunities to follow up. Many conferences will publish slides, proceedings, or even attendee lists after the event, so there will likely be opportunities to circle back to conversations that were cut short.

I hope that these strategies are helpful. If you'll be at WEFTEC this year, please feel free to connect with me in person. And to my fellow introverts - you've got this!