How to make the most of VizConf 2018

New to conference-going? Feeling apprehensive by the thought of being in the presence of so many talented visual thinkers? Fear not! We've produced this handy guide on how to make the most of your VizConf 2018 experience.

​I present to you: 10 tips on how to have an amazing VizConf 2018:

1. Come with a smile
   When you arrive, you'll immediately get the sense that the organising crew are genuinely excited about bringing so many visual practitioners together into one room. We hope you share that excitement too—and we want you to show it! We'll bring the coffee, and you can bring your positive energy, your boundless enthusiasm, and your passion for visual thinking. Your optimism will infect others and make a better day for everyone!
2. Bring business cards
   You will meet people at VizConf that you will want to see again—to learn from, to work with, to work for ... so come prepared. Bring a stack of business cards and don't be shy about handing them to people you connect with! Of course, doing so will require you to ...
3. Be brave
   There may be multiple occasions throughout the day when you will be required to be brave. Take comfort in knowing that you will be in a safe space, surrounded by people who are probably feeling just as out of their depth or intimidated or uncertain. Take a deep breath and lean into the experience—you'll get more out of it. Here are just a few ways that you can be brave on the day ...
4. Introduce yourself to someone new
   Make sure you leave the day with at least five new friends. There will be people attending who don't know anyone, so go out of your way to make them feel welcome, included, and supported. Some people are travelling from interstate to attend the conference; make it your mission to make them feel like they've gotten a huge amount of value out of the day, and you'll see it returned in spades.
5. Host a session
   There's a topic that you know well, and we'd love for you to share it. It could be a cool technique you've learned when working as a graphic recorder; or it could be a question you have that you would like input from others on. Take the initiative to propose a session on this topic during the Open Spaces period; your fellow attendees will thank you for it, and you'll learn plenty from playing the host role, regardless of your level of expertise.
6. Get sketching!
   Every attendee will receive a sketchbook and a range of pens for taking sketchnotes, as part of their conference bag. Use them! And if you're feeling extra brave, you could even try large-scale graphic recording. We genuinely want VizConf to be a place where current or aspiring graphic recorders feel supported to step up and practice capturing a real-time presentation. There will be additional markers and large sheets of paper provided on the day for anyone wanting to step up and capture any of the sessions. It might feel intimidating but practicing is the only way you can improve!
7. Chat to the sponsors
   Some of our sponsors will have stands set up, with representatives on hand eager to chat about the work they do, and find out about you. There will also be a pop-up store selling markers, books, and other visual tools. Take advantage of these moments to connect with our sponsors—they are organisations doing great things and are very aligned with our community.
8. Fuel up!
   Talking, listening, connecting, sketching ... it will be a long day and you may feel drained. There will be a coffee cart serving up free espresso coffee, and there will be loads of yummy food on hand throughout the day. Be sure to give your body the fuel it needs! 
9. Get posting on social media
   We want VizConf to be bigger and better each year that we run it. Help us generate FOMO for those people who aren't attending by posting like crazy to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or some other social media platform of your choosing. Post photos of presenters, sketchnotes, the food—whatever you like! Don't forget the hashtag #vizconf2018.
10. Enjoy yourself!
    Yes, there will be lots of people to meet, things to learn, tips to write down ... but ultimately, we want everyone to enjoy their day. So be sure to allow yourself to have some fun. Part of that will be joining us for drinks at the bar afterwards. We hope to see you there.

Have any tips for making the most of VizConf 2018? Post them in the comments below!