Have Tech. Will Travel: 6 Tips for Making the Most of the UCAOA Fall Conference

If you’ve ever attended a trade show, you understand just how overwhelming it can be. If the UCAOA 2017 Fall Conference is your first big urgent care industry event, buckle up and prepare yourself for a few awesome days of learning, networking, and getting to know all the software and service options available to make your clinic the best it can be.

If you’re a veteran or a newbie, these tech-savvy tips will help you get the most out of your UCAOA experience.

1. Power up.

Be sure your electronic devices are fully charged before you hit the conference floor. Looking for a place to charge up can distract you from your game plan. To be sure you make it through the show with enough battery life, carry a power bank as a back-up (The Wirecutter’s list of best USB battery packs is a great starting point). And while you’re at it, hide an energy bar in your bag to make sure you keep your own battery charged.

2. Snap it.

You will pick up loads of information at the show about current trends, how-tos, and products to explore. But instead of digging through all those informational brochures to find the vendors that impressed you most, snap a shot of the booths and vendors you want to contact right away or take a pic of their sign including a phone number or website. When you get back on your home turf, your shots are an easy way to find the vendors you want to contact immediately, and you can read through the not-so-pressing information when time allows.

3. Make contact.

After spending the day on the show floor or listening to great speakers, it’s hard to be enthusiastic about going through a handful of business cards. Simplify the process by creating a group in your contact list, and when you meet someone you definitely want to get in touch with after the event, put their information in your phone on the spot. It’s smart, efficient, and oh-so-easy.

4. Schedule breaks.

Sore feet and heavy bags are just the beginning of the trade show experience. Your body will feel the stress, and so will your brain. Pick good times to take a break during the show and set your alarm as a gentle reminder that you need some downtime. Walk outside away from the chaos or find a quiet spot outside the convention floor. Take a few breaths of fresh air, get a cool glass of water, snack on that energy bar, and take off your shoes for 15 minutes. It’s a great way to recharge and give your mind a minute or two to rest.

5. Message check.

In today’s connected world, it’s not unusual to feel naked without your phone in your hand. But while walking through the convention floor, it can be a constant distraction. Make a plan to check for messages and return calls only once an hour so you can make the most of the time you have available to meet with vendors. As an added precaution, choose a safe and secure way to carry your phone. If you always keep it in the same pocket or zipped into a bag, you reduce your risk of losing it in the crowd.

6. Chat it up.

Let the people you left at the office get a taste of the conference by posting on social media to share updates and exciting information you pick up along the way. If you’re scheduling social media posts that will publish while you’re at UCAOA, make sure to use the #UCAOA hashtag to have it be part of the conversation at the conference. Speaking of chatting, we’d love you to meet our staff at booth #407. And there’s a free screen-print-your-own tote in it for you.

You carry technology in your pocket, so use it to your advantage with our tech-savvy show tips. We hope to see you at UCAOA!