The PrinciTools Origin Story
When I was 13 years old my father passed away. It was a very sudden thing so I was completely blindsided. I remember having a hard time sleeping so I would listen to the radio on my alarm clock at…
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Making the most of conferences!
Conferences are one of the best ways to meet people, learn current techniques, and get work in the games industry. Let’s talk about that!
Conferences are a huge investment, not just of your money but also of your time. Treat them as such and respect their value.
Work out what your objectives are. Are you trying to meet people? Get a job? Learn current techniques? Get as specific as possible.
Book accommodation close to the conference center for ease of transportation. It’s worth spending a little bit more if necessary.
If the conference is overseas, make sure you research your options for roaming data on your mobile phone. Having online access is crucial.
Half of most gamedev conferences actually take place on Twitter. More on that later!
Find out if talks are being recorded. If they are, focus more on meeting people. Networking and making friends is ultimately more valuable.
If they aren’t, research and create your talk schedule ahead of time. The last thing you want is to have to make stressful decisions!
Set aside a budget for taking people out to coffee and lunch. It doesn’t need to be much, but be proactive about it!
Be the person to organise catch-ups, dinners, breakfasts, coffees and drinks. Research the local venues so you’re prepared.
Often the best way is to reach out to people you want to meet on Twitter/FB/via email and ask to set up a time.
When you have the catchup, be prepared! Know what you want to ask/get out of it ahead of time. Just saying hello is totally fine!
So! The morning is here, it’s go time! Arrive, register for your pass and say hi to people waiting. This is an awesome time to meet people.
The most valuable thing you can do at conferences is meet people. Meeting people is TERRIFYING, I know. But you can do it!
Don’t stress about awkward introductions, and make sure to say your name even if you’ve met them before. We all struggle with names.
It can be tempting to auto-hug everyone on sight, but make sure to ask permission before touching anyone. Not everyone likes touching!
If you have cards, exchange them at the end of the convo. Add them on Twitter — I usually get them to look themselves up on my phone.
If they gave you a card, take notes on it! Note down where you met them, the time, and any salient details from your convo. It’ll help later.
Take breaks. Have alone time if necessary. Know how you work. It’s a marathon, not a race. Don’t exhaust yourself on the first day.
So much of what goes on at events (particularly impromptu meetups etc) happens through Twitter. Find the hashtag! FOLLOW IT!
Livetweet talks, use the hashtag, be helpful to people. Use this as a tool to say hi to people and find out what’s happening.
Go to the night networking events! If you are drinking, know your limits, and BE PROFESSIONAL.
Don’t be the drunk asshole. Everyone will remember.
If you don’t drink, that’s OK! Have soda or water. Explain that you don’t drink. Don’t let people pressure you.
If you get harassed in any way, immediately ask around for an organiser or volunteer. Explain what happened. We’ll help you.
Remember. Marathon, not a race. Don’t stay up too late — with one exception. If you find yourself with a super rad group, it’s OK to stay!
I usually have one night where I stay out REALLY late, and honestly, those are sometimes the most fun/best networking experiences.
Just stay conscious of your limits, and if you need to leave and go to bed, please do that. Your health is the most important thing.
If you find or hear a problem, immediately talk to a volunteer and ask to speak to an organiser. This is the best way to get things fixed quickly.
Especially if something breaks the code of conduct, give the team a chance to help you and make things right.
If they don’t, take other steps. Public callouts should be a last resort, not a first port of call, but sometimes they are necessary.
Make sure you eat, and drink plenty of water. It’s easy to forget or lose track of time!
Make sure you shower every day, and don’t overuse cologne or perfume! Some people are highly sensitive or allergic.
If you go to talks, take handwritten notes. You’ll remember things better, I promise. Plan some questions + write them down too for Q&A!
If there’s someone specific you want to meet, see if you can find a friend who can introduce you. This makes things much easier.
Make sure you introduce people to each other! If you think two people should meet, take the initiative and make it happen!
Conferences are a chance to reinvigorate, get inspired and remember why we do what we do. They’re a time of learning and healing.
Ultimately you only get out of a conference what you put into it. Do your research, plan, meet people and have a GREAT time!
Thanks to @Wanderlustin, @ImaSithDuh, @gowalkingbox and @Arrchmage for proofreading and making suggestions for this thread. ❤
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