2016 Annual Meeting - San Francisco

  • 1.  Advice for first time attendees

    Posted 10-13-2016 16:22

    Hi everyone,

    I get a lot of questions from new members—what advice do you have for someone attending the Annual Meeting for the first time?

    Thanks in advance for your responses!

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    Monica Mellinger
    Membership Associate and Engage Community Lead
    AIChE
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  • 2.  RE: Advice for first time attendees

    Posted 10-14-2016 18:10

    1. It's OK to be overwhelmed.  My first meeting was 2005, and they have grown considerably since then.  It will seem like everyone else knows everyone, but they don't.

    2. Go to some random sessions. Find something totally outside your work scope or graduate studies, and go to at least one session on it. 

    3. Ask questions of the speakers.  Pretend that you are moderating and for politeness have to ask every speaker a question.  This will help keep you focused on the talk and increase the chances of learning something.

    4. Don't overload on sessions.  Especially if you are staying most of the week, just go to one or two sessions in the day, and take the other time to relax, catch up on real work, or tour the city. 

    5.  Go to the receptions early in the week (even it they're not for your school!) and meet some new people. Unless the program says ticketed event, it is open to all attendees.

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    Noah Meeks
    Sr. Research Engineer
    Southern Company Services, Inc
    Birmingham AL

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Advice for first time attendees

    Posted 10-15-2016 13:36

    The meeting can be a bit overwhelming so I recommend that one study the Technical Program, Committee meeting listing and Social Events carefully before coming. Also see if you know any colleagues, former classmates, professors or the like that might be in attendance. Then a week before make up a schedule for the week of things you don't want to miss but be sure to leave some openings and flexibility so you handle unexpected developments. Also try to take a few notes of both sessions and meeting that you might include in a brief report for colleagues who did not attend with contact information where appropriate. Your employer could really appreciate that.

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    Joseph Cramer PhD,PE,Fellowof
    Consultant
    Independent Consultant
    Hendersonville NC

    Original Message