So, this is my first experience at a large scale professional conference. I've been to our local Independent School conference loads but that's tiny compared to this. I really had no idea what to expect.
Tip #1 dress comfortably and no one cares if you wear jeans
It's overwhelming. It's like being at Dragon Con but calmer. There's tons going on and somehow I have to select 5 sessions maximum a day out of 250 offerings...crazy.
Tip #2 if you are feeling stressed out, find someone to help. Helping others is an excellent anxiety drain.
The exhibitor hall alone is worth the price of admission. The place is absolutely lousey with publishers, authors, and literary agents. It's like being in a giant whirlpool of geeky-cool. I actually trod on Sharon Draper's foot....she was very nice about it. And I got to shake the hand of Jason Reynolds....Squee!
Tip #3 always keep a hand free for shaking
The Sessions themselves were generally pretty top-tier. I went to one on differentiation of Shakespeare instruction. Brilliant!! I will do it all! I went to one that was run completely by higher education professionals explaining to us high school schmoes what they are seeing from our students when they get to college. Actually they were very nice and frank about admitting where the colleges could be doing better too. From this though I have an idea for block scheduling a couple days with science for close reading practice on textbooks.
Tip #4 don't get so excited you don't eat
But maybe better than all that. I was surrounded by 3000 people who get as geeky about books as I do. I've never -repeat never- had that before. I jumped in and out of conversations about the merits of adaptations of shakespeare into YA lit, socially active material, dealing with parent concerns on subject matter. I actually got to butt heads with someone on the merits of handing of Tolkien vs. Rowling as an entry point to fantasy literature. I always felt like such a freak when it came to books as a passion. I guess if I am, I'm not the only one.
Tip #5 remember to smile
Yes. DragonCon if it were peopled 100% by introverts.
ReplyDeleteA surprising number of Dragon Con extroverts are introverts in the rest of life.
DeleteWell it's unsurprising in that what many introverts have trouble with is feeling comfortable. What Dragon Con IS, truly IS more so than the panels, the exhibition hall, the costumes, is a place where people who never let go of things they enjoyed as a child KNOW that they will not be judged for being who they are and keeping to Star Wars, Star Trek, hell Winnie the Pooh, Dexter's Lab. It's a place where obscure and quirky IS the norm. It's what appeals to so many and why so many have fond memories. At least, this is my experience.
DeleteConferences are indeed a great place to learn new things and meet new people but yeah, it's hard to choose. I regret to this day not following up with a vocal coach who I sang a solo with. There was large group in the room and he found SOMEWHERE where I wasn't throwing my sound right, pushed on my back, and suddenly the entire audience gasped and started applauding. Don't know what he did, how he did it, or why it worked. Still, a very vivid memory for me with a conference.
lol. had something to say did ya? ;) Both Nathan and I are introverts...we get it. really.
DeleteOh and I see that, I do! I was just thinking back to my years of going to Dragon Con and was kind of self-realizing I guess that AHA, that's what makes it so appealing.
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