By Erin Engstrom

“Inspire. Influence. Innovate.”

For over half a century, visionaries, economists, business leaders and HR professionals have gathered to create a singular experience at the largest HR event in Western Canada.

With the new year upon us, the 51st Annual BC HRMA Conference is just around the corner on May1-2, 2013 in Vancouver.  For the past year, the various organizing committees, headed by conference chair Nic Tsangarakis, have looked at what makes the experience such an ongoing success for so many. Unsurprisingly, people play a big part.

Ultimately, the annual BC HRMA conference is all about experiencing ‘a-ha moments’: exploring new perspectives on timely and relevant topics, learning about the latest industry advancements and sharing the camaraderie of people who share your passions and interests.

As conference/event manager for BC HRMA, I know how much energy has been poured into the creation of this year’s roster of speakers and schedule of events, and what value it offers for those who plan to attend – even more so for those who take advantage of the early-bird registration.

While I look forward to sharing more details of Conference 2013, in the meantime, I encourage you to visit bchrma.org/conf2013 .

For the moment though, I would like to share a few tips on how to make the most of your conference experience:

1. Put Conference Into Action
Enter conference with a mindset primarily towards action, not ideas.

When you get home set up an action plan with timeline with milestones outlining when and how you will take steps to act on specific ideas and information.

2. Plan Ahead (to Enhance the Investment)
Create a short lit of hot topics that are most important to you and your team.  What are you trying to create, bring to life or solve?  Having this direction with help keep you focused and engaged at conference.

Attending a conference is a big investment of time and money—so do your homework. Research the speakers, get involved in related social media activities, plan networking events, and make a list of people or suppliers that you want to connect with.

Think about what you want to learn and take away, and plan your agenda accordingly.

3. Branch Out (to Network More Effectively)
Attending conferences with colleagues or old friends is great— just don’t don’t fall into easy pattern of spending all of your time with them.  Make a conscious effort to meet new people and make the most of your time.

Many find it difficult to talk to strangers, but rest assured, people come to Conference to connect with new faces and ideas alike.  Make a habit of introducing yourself to the people surrounding you whenever you sit down. Just remember to be an active listener. Be focused, let go of assumptions and and balance the amount of time spent in sessions and networking.

Moreover, choose sessions that introduce you to new ideas and challenge your thinking rather than attending those where you feel most comfortable; seeking validation is no substitute for allowing yourself to be introduced to new or different practices and perspectives.

Since BC HRMA Conference 2013 has its very own Twitter hashtag (#HRMA2013), you can begin to connect well beforehand.  Social media and online discussions are great ways to connect with new and old contacts in preparation for conference.

4. Avoid Conference Overload
There is a lot of information and inspiration coming your way. Keep your mind fresh by taking care of your body and mind.  Remember to eat and drink, rest, stretch, wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers.

At the end of each session, take a few minutes to reflect and make a note of your top takeaways. Note taking should be short and simple. Record key notes, ideas or quotes that resonate with you or motivate you to action – don’t record exact words of the speaker.

5. Be an HR Ambassador
Remember, not everyone gets the opportunity to attend. Ask colleagues about their greatest challenges and specific needs, then actively seek information on their behalf at Conference 2013.  This will not only help you be more engaged and purposeful at conference, but provide you with plenty of ‘takeaway’ value to share.

And while you are at Conference, keep that sharing in mind. Be a good contact – give ideas, suggestions and referrals freely, as this adds to everyone’s experience.

6. Own YOUR Conference Experience
It all comes down to this: be an active participant in your own learning experience.  Ask questions, have fun and actively pursue your personal goals and objectives. Determine how to make the best use your time (tradeshow, networking events, sessions, etc.), and remember, the most valuable information or connections may come outside of scheduled sessions, so be flexible.

Remember that this is your conference.  The more effort you put into your experience, the greater your rewards.

I hope to see you in Vancouver for BC HRMA’s 51st Annual Conference + Tradeshow, May 1-2, 2013. Early bird registration deadline is February 28!

Erin Engstrom is conference and event manager for BC HRMA.