If You Attend the AALL Annual Meeting, Make Plans to Showcase the ROI to Colleagues and Management
By Liz Peoples
Requiring a return on investment (ROI) is currently a big emphasis in every organization. So capitalize on the investment your organization is making in terms of the travel dollars and/or staff time for you to attend the AALL conference by maximizing your conference experience!
Begin with the end in mind this year: I suggest that you schedule a post-AALL presentation for your staff and Library Partner for the week after you return from the 2009 AALL conference in Washington, D.C. By committing yourself to a presentation, you will not only enhance your own knowledge but also that of staff members who could not attend. And you’ll impress the Library Partner with your knowledge and expertise.
To get the most out of your conference days and dollars, here are my suggestions: (Keep in mind you will incorporate your findings into your post-AALL presentation.)
My Conference Planner
Use the online AALL meeting conference planner to create your own personal schedule. The meeting will be a very busy few days. Reviewing options and creating your schedule is a great way to start maximizing your time. The AALL My Conference Planner can be found at http://aall09.sched.org/
Educational Programs
As you choose which programs to attend, look at the panel members. They have been chosen to present because they have expertise on their subjects. Formulate questions to ask them about their subject or product, and add this excellent 1:1 knowledge to your post-conference presentation. The quality time that you spend with panel speakers allows you to gain information that you can take back specific to your firm, school or agency.
Exhibit Hall
This is a great place to gather information and talk with product developers as well as with executives from the companies exhibiting. With the continuous development of new products and enhancements to existing products, your time will be well spent in the Exhibit Hall.
(By the way, LexisNexis Booth 722 will be paperless again this year. Literature and product information will be available via the LexisNexis InfoPro Web site, so you will have quick access—and you won’t have to carry lots of paper home!)
Receptions
By the end of a busy day, you’ll just want to relax and order room service, but push yourself. Attending evening receptions gives you the chance to talk with friends and peers on what they have been experiencing at the conference. You will also have the chance to weigh in on the buzz—whether it’s a well-attended session, upcoming presentation or a must-see vendor booth or product.
Post-AALL Presentation
One effective presentation style is to cover a particular topic or issue. This is where planning to give a post-AALL presentation to library staff or partner will be beneficial.
For example, select two or three practice areas or issues that are important to your organization, and after seeking out the educational programs, vendors’ information and experiences of your peers, present and show your staff or Library Partner what you have learned. For example, teach your staff about the differences in content as you compare and contrast intellectual property databases. Or point out the efficiency of utilizing a current-awareness application to your Library Partner, e.g., how news can be delivered daily and customized for practice areas.
I think you will approach the conference differently and enrich others upon your return—not only with gizmos and giveaways—but also by sharing your knowledge with staff and management. Delivering a post-AALL presentation will highlight the value of you attending the conference—and emphasize that it is definitely worth the investment to send you and/or members of your staff to future AALL annual meeting.
So go ahead … Give back the knowledge and SHINE.
