How can you make the most of sustainability conferences?

Learn... but you usually learn most over coffee and lunch chats. Network...like your life depends on it, especially if your time is precious and you've paid a lot for your ticket! I don't attend many conferences these days, too much rehearsed and repeated content. Never fly... to a sustainability conference unless it has potential to be the biggest impact of your year. Really... will it be the impact of your year?? Finally refuse an all white / all male panel and let the organiser know you did. CHOOSE WELL!

As a seasoned sustainability conference programmer and attendee, here's my advice: Seek Recommendations: Connect with peers and tap into LinkedIn for suggestions. Assess Expertise & Goals: Review agendas to align with your knowledge gap, expertise, and growth objectives. Consider Size & Price: Opt for small for intimate talks or large for prominent speakers. Mix and match as needed. Explore Formats: Choose virtual, in-person, or hybrid to match your goals and budget. Newcomer? Go for a budget-friendly virtual conference; value networking? In-person might suit you better. Maximize your conference experience with purpose and intention. Conferences are investments in time and money; it's your responsibility to extract value from each event.

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." - Dr. Seuss 3 Questions to Ask on this: What strategies can be employed to maximize the value and knowledge gained from attending sustainability conferences? How can one network effectively and establish meaningful connections with like-minded individuals or organizations at these conferences? Can you share insights from experienced attendees on how to balance the information overload that can occur at large conferences and focus on actionable takeaways for sustainable initiatives?

Being strategic about which conferences to attend ensures that the time and resources invested yield meaningful returns in terms of learning, networking, and driving impact. My strategy includes selecting specific, high-impact events throughout the year, such as New York Climate Week and the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF), that align with broader sustainability goals and objectives. In addition to the content, also think who else will be there and what meaningful (new) connections you can create. Finally, if you have the opportunity to speak - do it! It is a great opportunity to add to the conversation, build presence and deliver a tangible call-to-action for the audience.

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." - Dr. Seuss 3 Questions to Ask on this: What strategies can be employed to maximize the value and knowledge gained from attending sustainability conferences? How can one network effectively and establish meaningful connections with like-minded individuals or organizations at these conferences? Can you share insights from experienced attendees on how to balance the information overload that can occur at large conferences and focus on actionable takeaways for sustainable initiatives?

Making sustainability conferences genuinely sustainable is both a commitment to the cause and an illustration of best practices in action. Here's how organizers can ensure their sustainability conferences walk the talk: 1. Offer digital versions of agendas, brochures, and other conference materials. If physical materials are necessary, use recycled paper and limit production numbers. 2. Promote public transportation options, provide shuttles from major transport hubs, and encourage carpooling or bike use. If the conference attracts international attendees, consider hosting it in a location central to most participants to reduce travel emissions.

There are many ways to prepare; some are more time-consuming than others, like researching potential clients or speakers. A more laid-back approach can be as simple as posting on LinkedIn that you'll be attending and seeing who in your network will be as well. It's always great to have a person or two you know in case you need networking support. That being said, don't rely on them the entire time. You spent money to get there, so make the most of it! - Attend sessions that interest you; it's a great place to meet like-minded individuals. - Get to breakfast early and choose a seat at a table of strangers. - Ask others what brought them to the conference. And remember, you are all there to learn and connect around sustainability.

A few more items to include in your preparation are : 1. Doing a research regarding all the speakers, panelists and partners. Understand their experience and what they are doing now. At the end of this step you should have a priority list of whom to meet and what conversation to hold with them. 2. Try and understand the agenda behind the conference/event. It is not uncommon for sponsors and organisers to promote their specific business offering though the sessions in the conference. Which may not align with your desire to learn about a particular topic which is reflected in the agenda. Such events you should consider skipping.

Preparation is key when attending sustainability conferences. Setting clear goals, updating your profile, and planning your logistics will ensure a more productive and enjoyable experience, helping you make the most of the opportunities these events offer.

Something I like to make, while preparing me in advance to connect with people and build a good professional network, is to search the kind of people that will attend the event, understand who they are and what positions do they occupy. Another one, is to understand how I connect with the event, with the theme and what are my needs, in terms of networking, so I can build a good elevatr pitch, to have objetive and nice conversations during the conference.

A great strategy for integrating what you've learned in a sustainability conference is taking the 3 main insights you've identified and incorporating them in your day-to-day life. Some of the approaches you can consider: 1. Sharing your takeaways with your colleagues and friends in a more formal setting (such as a presentation or a workshop). 2. Creating a post or sending a newsletter about your experience. 3. Identifying ways to implement the best practices or strategies you've picked up in your current projects.

Post-conference follow-up is where the real value is realized. It's your opportunity to turn insights into actions and connections into collaborations. The sooner and more effectively you follow up, the more impactful the conference will be for your professional journey.

In our daily lives, we tend to miss out on things that we don't keep up with. As simple it may sound, the habit of moving from one golden branch to another prevents us from getting anywhere concrete. It must be accepted that even though the connections could be less, they can be deeper. Learners must constantly follow up for the updates, new learning and developments in the field. A careful analysis of the market scenario goes long way in following up well.

Post-conference follow-ups are paramount. After immersing in sessions and dialogues, swiftly reconnect with the professionals you met. Draft personalized emails, referencing specific topics you discussed, or even recent legislations, to show genuine interest. Dive deep into session content, annotating your notes with potential legal implications or innovative finance structures. Perhaps you've identified a novel approach to green bonds or ESG metrics? Act on it! By promptly revisiting and applying your insights, you not only fortify your knowledge but also position yourself at the forefront of sustainable finance.

You should create a CRM (client relationship management) system, even if it is just an excel sheet, to organize all your notes about who you meet with. This allows for super easy following up and not forgetting the anecdotes.

Self-assessment and reflection are critical aspects of personal and professional development. By evaluating your experiences at sustainability conferences, you gain valuable insights that can guide your future choices and actions. It's a continuous journey of improvement and learning.

Take a moment to reflect: did you grasp the nuances of that new green regulation? Did those networking sessions lead to potential collaborations or case insights? Jot down the highs and lows, perhaps a panel that exceeded expectations or a missed opportunity to engage in a pertinent discussion. Solicit feedback from colleagues or mentors. They might have observed strengths in your interactions or areas for enhancement. Toast to your achievements, but also embrace the lessons from the challenges. By critically assessing your outcomes, you not only commemorate your journey but also pave a refined path for future engagements in the ever-evolving world of sustainable finance.

After conferences, workshops, etc. we always discuss gains and outcomes of the event, with colleagues. To do so effectively, we always take photos and make notes everywhere we go. We collect businesscards on paper and digital froms, as well. The latter is getting more and more popular and widespread, fortunately. We share the new contacts inside our company, and always discuss and decide, which colleague will do follow up about them. In previous section, I shared our experience and opinion on fast and quality follow-up. On the other hand, such evaluations help to plan future scheduling of further events, which was the topic of the first section of this article.

As indicated at step one, if you take some time before even signing up to clarify what you want to take away from the event and how it will advance your sustainability goals, you will have a benchmark to check your outcomes against, both short and long term. If you can show it has been a good return on investment, you'll be in a better position to secure budget for future events and you'll have more evidence to demonstrate that your overall approach to sustainability is considered, targeted and measured.

As indicated at step one, if you take some time before even signing up to clarify what you want to take away from the event and how it will advance your sustainability goals, you will have a benchmark to check your outcomes against, both short and long term.