In many ways, conferences are the career equivalent of a running marathon. Professionals make dozens of contacts, meet hundreds of people and spend hours on their feet. It’s an overwhelming and exhausting experience and even if it takes place in the middle of the week, you’re almost always glad you went. Los Angeles is the center of professional conferences across all industries, including technology, academia and entertainment. James Harper, the organization expert, states that a conference is the best opportunity to boost one’s career.

Make sure that your time and budget are well spent by following these tips:

1. Socialize in Advance

More than often, conferences have a predefined topic of discussion. Don’t hesitate to start an early dialogue about the themes and topics you are interested in. You don’t have to wait for the opening talk at the convention center to start socializing. Your primary objective should be to strengthen your connections and you might even find yourself in the position of arranging new meetings with other professionals that attend the conference.

2. Ask for Business Cards

As Harper himself puts it, business cards have become the currency of conferences. Create a system to keep all of your new contacts’ information in order and, if necessary, annotate cards. Be sure you never run out of business cards as you can never know when you will meet the perfect contact. For an easy connection with the people you want to continue your dialogue with, we recommend using the CardKeeper app.

3. The Internet is Not Always Reliable

Business centers often supply free wireless and outlets to charge your phone. However, you should keep in mind that even the world’s best convention centers don’t always have the necessary means to support thousands of electronic devices. Open wireless connections are unsafe for business travelers as they aren’t properly secured. Your browsing experience will also be affected as your internet connection will be slow at best. Consider alternatives such as purchasing a portable device or upgrading your data plan on your mobile device to stay connected.

4. Plan Your Time Wisely

A conference may last from a few hours to several days. A good strategy is to consult the conference schedule to get an idea of what to expect. You must plan your time to your advantage and decide which talks you’ll attend in advance. If you find on the conference’s website a list of vendors, you will know what booths to visit. Identify where your place will be and which sessions could offer you the best benefit.

5. Take Care of Yourself

“Conference flu” is a real concern. You can easily get sick around a convention as the conditions are perfect for an unwanted contamination. You are in a closed environment surrounded by a lot of strangers and you may suffer from a combination of exhaustion and dehydration. Conference food is another thing to avoid as it isn’t always known for being particularly healthy. You should think about making your health a priority even if it implies some sacrifices.

6. Book with the Best

With the right planning, conferences can be a pleasant experience. Avoid at all costs overnight flights unless they simply can’t be avoided. The red-eye flight is synonymous with misery. Trading a bed for an airline seat is as bad as it sounds. Ensure yourself with the best experience possible by booking a car service to LAX and the hotel.

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Also published on Medium.