Well it’s finally over.
#HRTechConf (social shorthand for the HR Technology Conference) was beyond a great experience for this Digital Media Manager! I learned so much and got to meet so many people that I follow and interact with on a daily basis.
Clients, friends, colleagues and birthday boys!
The best part for me was meeting my clients face-to-face for the first time. I was able to hear how passionate each person was about their platform, products and services and really hear the stories behind what got them started in the space in the first place! Hitting the after parties where we could let loose and chat a lot more casually was great too because now I know the people behind the brands and am even more excited to make them shine through on social!
During the conference I walked the expo hall talking to other companies about their technologies. Though I had connected with many on social networks and via email there were a lot of brands I hadn’t even heard of! I was very impressed with the technologies that had something new to offer than some of the more traditional companies. But the traditional vendors were also innovating and making strides in product lines & cool new technologies that I hadn’t seen before.
Pro Tip 1: Get there just a little early to charge up…or get Vegas out of your system. Courtney McGann and I went a day earlier than the rest of the team so we could just relax and get ready for the onslaught and BOY am I glad we did. The plan was to rage before the conference but instead we ate a quick dinner and got a full night’s sleep. What a happy accident! We needed the rest to make it though to Tuesday night!
Pro Tip 2: Get a mophie, especially if you are a social media manager for multiple brands. I was glued to my phone, iPad mini and more updating, uploading and engaging with over seven brands at #HRTechConf! While I had support at the office, this would have been tough to do with a dead cell!
Pro Tip 3: The expo floor was actual light years away from the conference and press rooms (when I left my hotel room I was only 21, by the time I got to the expo hall, my insurance rates had gone down!) Next year I am going to: Find better shoes to wear and buy Dr. Scholl’s for those new shoes. Much respect for the vendors who man those booths for a full ten hours AND attend sessions AND client dinners AND attend the after parties. Walking around that floor without breaks for just 4 hours nearly killed me! And I don’t even know how all the women did it in HEELS!
Pro Tip 4: Don’t know what to say about your company when walking the expo floor? Try a lap with your boss. I made the rounds with Maren Hogan and she was able to break what we do every day down into bite size portions. It made it a whole lot easier to collect those business cards when I went back out the next day!
Pro Tip 5: Did you know it’s bad form to win the prizes at these things? I didn’t. As a veteran contest participant (and winner!) I was a little bummed to find out that entering the contests that vendors were putting on (even if they weren’t our clients!) is considered a big no-no and after helping our client Careerminds have a contest I know why! A lot of thought and creativity goes into those giveaways!
Pro Tip 6: Stay hydrated. Aside from the fact that booze is LITERALLY soaking the expo floor in places, Las Vegas is a desert man! Drink water so that you can keep up with those who have been doing this for eons. Getting to bed early with the HR Tech crowd means 2:30 AM!
Next year can only be better than this last one. I have so many ideas for Red Branch Media and our growing roster of clients. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the next conference! Any tips for this conference beginner? (soon to be intermediate TYVM!)
