5 Ways to Get the Most Value Out of a Virtual Conference -

You’ve paid for the ticket. And you’ve cleared your calendar for an upcoming virtual conference, like PDS 2021, that promises to teach you things to make life (or work) easier. Now that the pre-work is over, it’s time for the real work: making sure this virtual conference is well worth your investment.

1. Have an Open Mind

In the last year alone, we’ve seen and heard more about Zoom than ever before. Sure, video platforms have their perks: convenience, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness, to name a few. But we all know they can also get boring or overused. This all depends on the topic, of course. As you prepare for your virtual conference, consider more of the perks that it has to offer:

Learning at your own pace, from the comfort of your own home
No need to book travel or a hotel room
Networking no longer limited to being in a booth
Often lower ticket costs (especially if an in-person has turned virtual)
The food is better (since it’s from your own pantry)

2. Test Your Tools

Solid Internet connection? Check! Fully charged computer? Check! A notebook ready for note-taking? Check! Once you figure out all the tools (and tech) you’ll need for your virtual conference, create a checklist. Don’t wait until the last minute to ensure your tools are in working order. While there’s always a chance connection problems may arise (on your end and the organizer’s), you can still put your best virtual attendee foot forward with a little preparation.

3. Set Goals

When you sign up for a conference, there should be a reason. What do you want to get out of it? Whether it’s questions you need answered, solutions you want to get additional information on, vendors you want to connect with, et cetera. Prioritize the most important booths or sessions and then plan around those. If you lay them all out, your goals will determine the best way to navigate around the conference.

4. Take Notes During Virtual Conference

Don’t rely on memory for important takeaways. Be sure to take solid notes, whether that’s through pen and paper, your computer, or your phone’s notepad app. While your virtual conference may be provided as a recording after the event, it’s important to take notes on sections that are important to you. Better yet, jot down a few goals or questions beforehand to help you navigate the virtual platform. After all, the conference is just part of the big picture. What matters most is what you do with the information you’re presented.

5. Take Action

You’ve prepared yourself. Now it’s time to actively participate in the conference. Ask questions and give answers. Join networking rooms. Engage with companies on social media. And afterwards, take what you’ve learned and apply them to your life – or your business. So many of us come away from conferences or retreats overloaded with action items. Go back to your notes and extract your most important to-dos and start with those first. There’s something about crossing tasks off a list that energizes you for what’s next. Go at your own pace but keep yourself accountable!

On the topic of virtual conferences, the virtual 2021 PDS Super-Conference takes place May 20 – 21. Created for pharmacy owners by pharmacy owners, this event will show you how to:

Optimize Cash Flow
Outpace PBMs
Increase Customer Loyalty

… and so much more through simple and actionable takeaways.

Still not sure about the whole virtual thing? We understand you may have hesitations about a fully virtual event. That’s why we’re hosting the Be Unstoppable webinar to show you how easy and effective attending will be. Click here to save your seat!