Attending a conference: checklist
How to get value rather than impressions: the goal, marking up the programme, meetings arranged early, a short pitch, conclusions instead of notes and follow-up.

[ ] State the goal of the trip in one sentence
    \u201cUnderstand how others solve this problem\u201d beats \u201csee what is going on\u201d. The goal decides what you pick from the programme.
[ ] Mark up the programme in advance
    Two or three must-see talks a day plus alternatives. The rest is time for conversations, not a gap.
[ ] List the people you want to meet
    Speakers, stands, people from online communities, peers from other companies. Without a list you meet whoever happens by.
[ ] Message them before the conference
    A short \u201cI will be there and would like to discuss this\u201d works better than approaching in the crowd afterwards.
[ ] Prepare your answer to \u201cwhat do you do\u201d
    Thirty seconds, understandable to someone outside your team. It is your calling card and you will be asked twenty times.
[ ] Sort the logistics and accommodation
    The route from your accommodation, registration, start times, what to print or show at the entrance.
[ ] Pack for two days on your feet
    Comfortable shoes, water, snacks, a power bank, a layer for cold halls. Attention runs out before the programme does.
[ ] Write conclusions, not notes
    What we will do differently, who to contact, what to check. You will not reread notes; three lines of decisions you will.
[ ] Exchange contacts immediately and label them
    Where you met and what you discussed. After a week every card and profile looks the same.
[ ] Allow yourself to skip talks
    A missed talk is usually recorded; a corridor conversation is not. Choose the conversation when it is going well.
[ ] Plan breaks and meals
    A skipped lunch and six coffees is the usual reason the afternoon passes you by.
[ ] Agree with your team what you will bring back
    Expectations agreed beforehand are fairer than a report afterwards. Ask what they want — it sharpens your goal too.
[ ] Follow up within two days
    After that the context fades for both sides. A short note reminding them what you discussed works very well.
[ ] Block time afterwards to apply the conclusions
    Otherwise the trip stays an impression. An hour or two in the calendar the following week is where the value lands.

Checklist from Unload: https://unloads.me/c/conference-trip