Congratulations on making the decision to attend your first Annual Congress! You are about to embark on an adventure (hopefully a life changing one) that will deepen your appreciation of payroll, enable you to network with colleagues from across the world (literally), and allow you to interact with vendors that can make your payroll life simpler.
So how do you make the most of your time at Congress and what should you not miss? Below are seven points a first time attendee should know before they go:
- Attend the Congress Orientation: Monday, May 15 at 5:00 PM, you will have the opportunity to meet people who have attended Congress previously and get the inside scoop of what the week has in-store for you. This will also be your first opportunity to meet other first-timers and begin your networking experience. All attendees will receive a special Congress Survival Kit exclusive for Congress first-timers from Orientation sponsor Netspend!
- Bring Business Cards: You will meet many people in your industry, who use the same product as your company, or you become great friends with while at a networking event. As you exchange cards, be sure to write on the card why you exchanged with this person. Otherwise, you will get home, tired and exhausted with a stack of cards wondering why you have this particular person's card.
- Pack comfortable shoes: There will be a lot of walking, skipping and dancing, and the last thing you want to get you down is sore feet. Appropriate attire and footwear is recommended at all times. The venue is very large and distance from your room to the expo hall to breakout sessions will definitely give you the daily steps you need for your pedometer and much more!
- Don’t Miss Chapter Exchange: If you’re currently in a chapter or are interested in learning more about a local chapter in your area you MUST attend the Chapter Exchange on Wednesday, May 17 at 6:30 pm. It’s the perfect networking opportunity to connect with others on the benefits of participating in a local chapter or who can help your chapter reach new heights of success.
- Pick Up Your Congress Lapel Pin: Later in the week, you will have the opportunity to receive your Congress Pin. For many people, this is a cherished symbol and carefully guarded. Don't forget to pick yours up in the Expo hall from the APA Solutions Center, and be sure to keep it safe because if you lose it, it could be gone forever.
- Bring a Costume: Be sure to participate in the Costume Contest on Thursday, May 18 at 6:30 pm during Expo Cocktail Reception. You will be amazed at how over-the-top some people go, and you can be wild and crazy with the rest of the group. Be sure to have fun with this!
- Pack Light: Be sure you have enough room in your luggage (and weight) to take home valuable vendor giveaways. Bring home souvenirs to your co-workers to share the fun, stories and memories with others.
With over 180 workshops, there will be intense learning opportunities. Fabulous keynote speakers will inspire you. Networking opportunities will afford you opportunities to resolve pesky pain points you have with payroll. However, as great of an educational conference Congress is, there are also countless opportunities to let loose and have fun.
I look forward to seeing you there. Don’t be shy-come up and introduce yourself if you see me around the conference!
Post author, Levi Meeske, CPP, attending Chapter Exchange during the 34th Annual Congress.
