Connect First

• Book your hotel as soon as possible – conference hotels fill fast!
• Packing- attire, comfortable shoes, water bottles, tote bags, notetaking items. Appropriate clothing: some attendees dress casually in jeans, others are in suits. The best recommendation is to dress according to your conference goals. If you plan business meetings, you'll need business attire. We know that Dallas in August is going to be hot, but the Convention Center will be air-conditioned. It's a good idea to bring a sweater or something similar you can throw on when you get cold.
• Create an agenda of sessions you want to attend via the attendee hub and the mobile app. Be sure to download the app before arriving. Adding a session to your agenda does not guarantee a seat in the room.
• Try not to be overwhelmed by the number of programs and activities. You can’t do it all or even close to it. Plan ahead to optimize your time. Sessions fill up and you may get closed out of the room for fire code capacity. Pick a Plan B for each time slot.
• Make time for down time – conferences can be overwhelming there is so much to do, so many people to meet. Don’t wear yourself out early, it won’t matter how much you see if you are too worn out to remember it or how many people you meet if you are too burnt out to make a good impression.
• Engage with other attendees via the app. Check out the attendee list to see who you may be interested in meeting with.
• Review what meals are included in your registration and in the program. Check out the Dietary Considerations section on the Accessibility and Inclusivity page for more information.
• If you’ve never been to the exhibit hall, plan to set aside time to cover it adequately. That time does not need to be in one chunk. Plot out where vendors are located so you don’t waste time backtracking later.
• Become a GBTA Member if you haven’t already! GBTA Membership is a great way to get involved and make connections that last a lifetime.

1. Own your status as a first (or second) time attendee, and use it as an opportunity to break the ice. Convention participants love to welcome new community members, and many have been in the industry, attending Convention and affiliated with GBTA for years. If you have a question, we promise that someone in the room knows the answer!
2. Explore the show floor to meet contacts you have never met face-to-face, hear industry news or trends, experience various activations, and be open to learning about new buyers or suppliers you don’t know yet (and, let’s be honest, probably pick up some cool swag while you are at it!).
3. Aim for meaningful conversations – quality over quantity. You won’t remember everyone you meet at Convention, but you will remember the meaningful ones, and so will they.
4. If you are a supplier, keep customers in your booth by introducing them to your colleagues who they may not know yet.
5. Step outside your comfort zone – sit with a friendly face who you may not know at a meal, strike up a conversation with that person you have run into at the hotel coffeeshop the last two mornings, and go to a party even if you will only know one or two people. Make the most of your time by being open to new people or experiences!
6. Some of the most lasting relationships start in a social setting, so take a walk through the hotel public spaces before heading to your room for the night. You may just run into the person you’ve been looking to connect with all week.
7. Make a buddy at a Connect First event who you can walk to and sit with at sessions, share a meal with, and who’s growing networks you can introduce each other to. Everything is more fun with a friend!
8. And finally, wear comfortable shoes! The days are long, the convention center is large, and sharp sneakers with business attire are in style now. Convention is a great time to embrace the trend!

General tips:

• Attend the Main Stage Opening General Session and Welcome Reception on Sunday, August 13 to make connections from the start.
• Attend the Connect First Open House, more info below.
• Visit the Connect First Lounge, more info below.
• The convention center is very large and walking between sessions and events could take 5-10 minutes. Education sessions will also take place in the Omni Dallas hotel, which is connected via skybridge. Make sure you review the maps or ask someone for help if you get lost.
• When you get a business card, make a note on the back of how you met the person or what you discussed in case you want to follow up with that individual later.
• Take your badge off when you are walking around the city. It will mark you as a tourist instantly and could make you a target for pickpockets. Also try not to walk alone at night.
• If you ever need anything at all, ask! Our friendly GBTA Staff, Convention Ambassadors, Banquet Staff, and Convention Center Staff are all here to help you make the most of your experience. No question is a dumb question.

• Connect with your new industry friends on LinkedIn, where their network becomes your network.
• Debrief on Convention with your boss and colleagues, share interesting insights or trends you picked up, and show the value of your attendance.
• Become a GBTA Member if you haven’t already! Continue to foster the relationships you made at Convention by becoming a member, and even connecting with your local Chapter.
• Follow up with people you met at the conference. Even if you don't have a specific need in mind, it’s good to further develop relationships started at the conference.
• View the attendee list in the app to collect contact information for any contacts you developed that you would like to continue after Convention has ended.
• Follow GBTA on socials to stay connected with your colleagues and GBTA after the Convention.
• Complete the survey and tell us what you liked and how we can improve!