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Are you packing for Infosec Europe and have no idea what you need, what to wear, or what to take? Are you new to Infosec or even a seasoned pro but still feeling that bit of anxiety over crowds post-lockdown?

I thought I’d share with you my experiences of attending conferences and making them work for you rather than getting over-faced!!

You may think that a lot of this is common sense but I ask you … as you read this … do you know the person who doesn’t do this? Maybe point them to this blog!

Here are my tips to survive the conference circuit:

Packing for the event

Packing is always stressful so here are some tips to reduce some of that stress!

Clothing

This is completely down to you. I have made some suggestions, however, you may have your own ‘style’. This is not to change your style but to help you set your own standards. The following is my list, feel free to steal the relevant bits for you.

• Good shoes, not sneakers or running shoes. Comfy shoes that do not rub … I use decent boots. You will be doing loads of miles so get comfy! (my record is 29,000 steps in one day).
• Wear comfortable clothes but not scruffy.
• I usually wear jeans, a shirt and a jacket without a tie.
• Avoid comedy/rock band t-shirts and board shorts, yes, it is a look, but think about the rest of the attendees and what they will be wearing. Dress appropriately.
• A pale shirt will cover up sweat patches but are also susceptible to coffee stains.
• Wear a cotton T-shirt under your shirt – even on hot days, helps to stop that whole sweat patch thing!
• Jeans/trousers should fit you … no one needs to see your Batman underwear!

What to take on the day

Travel light – the golden rule!

• Whilst at the event, use your pockets … Phones go in the inside pockets of your jacket on silent and vibrate, and business cards go in the ticket pocket of your jacket.
• You should carry a couple of notes of currency in your back pocket but just be aware, food at these places is usually really expensive!
• Be comfortable and keep your hands free.
• Wear a small rucksack/handbag to put all the stuff you’ve emptied from your pockets. Also, put a small box for the business cards you collect (pack a Sharpie to write on them with).
• Business cards, take loads,
• Make sure you pack a pen to write on their cards what you talked about.
• Take a small A6 notepad with you too for anything you discuss.
• Laptops tend to be useless at most conferences.
• Take your phone charging battery too, you’ll need it!
• Think … do I need this with me? 90% of stuff won’t be needed.

Before you get to the Event

Plan for Infosec!

• Plan in advance, who you want to see, seminars, meet-ups seminars etc.
• Follow Twitter and LinkedIn to see who from your contacts are going and if so, arrange to catch up with them.
• Have a list of your known contact names next to companies you know to remind you of that person…

“Is Dave here?  he’s got the weird eyes and the hairy ears, his hands are, y’know him, with the beard”
“It’s me … I shaved my beard.”

• Bookmark companies you want to see and talks you want to see. Add contact names so you can ask for someone on the stand if you want to have a chat.
• Have a Plan B for each night, no point in going all the way to an event to sit in a hotel room on your own each night!
• There’s lots going on, but make sure you get the right tickets!

On the day of the event

• An obvious one, but
  • wash,
  • shower,
  • brush your teeth,
  • change your clothes,
  • no excuse.
• Have a decent breakfast too, you don’t necessarily know when you will eat next.
• Never assume that
  1. the venue will have food
  2. the food will be edible
  3. you will be able to afford the food (I’m looking at you Infosec EU)
• Personal hygiene will be your number one killer at any event, it could well be a long day so consider a pocket-size deodorant and use it at lunchtime.

When you’re there

On Arrival

• Have your ticket detail ready! Printed, in your hand.
• Use the cloakroom to ditch your coats, bags, jumpers, umbrellas, llamas and significant other people – you need to travel light.
• Turn your phone to silent and vibrate.
• For the first job, walk around the venue, work out where loos are, and drinks are and get yourself comfortable.
• It’ll be tempting to start speaking to vendors immediately, but get a lay of the land first then come back to them.

Food and Drink

• Drink water – lots of water
• Avoid alcohol in the event if possible unless it is the end of the day and you are being sociable.
• Food and drinks inside the venue tend to be expensive, find a local supermarket instead.
• Get fresh air at lunch
• Go outside at lunch even if it is raining.

Swag (freebies)

• Swag is only handed over in exchange for your badge being scanned – be prepared for that junk mail and sales calls in exchange for a pen that barely works.
• Be aware of free tech e.g. USB pen drives, you don’t know what they really contain, after all … this is infosec after all!
• Free hands are useful for picking up swag but don’t get suckered into free bags.
• If you’re going to take swag, you’ve got to carry it, get a decent bag and don’t get greedy!
• Most swag only costs pence to maybe a couple of quid … realistically, it’s not that great!
• If a stand has “booth babes”, think – is their product so bad they have to hide it behind spandex?

General Conference Etiquette

Why is a conference?

• Conferences are paid for by vendors, expect a vendor pitch or (twenty) two.
• Most conferences are there to connect vendors with future clients or employees. Expect lots of conversations and actively seek them out too.
• Each company you meet might be a potential employer, behave!
• Swag is only handed over in exchange for your badge being scanned – be polite and understand why they are there too.

Seminars

• Take your time, wander first and orientate yourself.do the stands you need first, then take in the sights. I’d also recommend on your first walk-around see if you can book a time slot, it’ll help them with planning too.
• Get in the queue for seminars early, I have missed many great seminars by the queue being too long.
• It is not nice to kill a presenter on stage, don’t be snarky or have an agenda when asking questions.
• Anyone can be a smart-arse and show off superior knowledge, conferences are not for that.
• After a seminar, if you have a tricky question, call at the vendor stand to ask the question.
• Don’t try to go to every seminar, pace yourself.

Walking around Generally

• Walk with a smile… I know it’s 8 am and you’re tired … but if someone spots you and wants to go over and talk to you, they’ll avoid you if you look grumpy. First impressions and all that!
• Tweet, Instachat, Snapagram lots – and use the right hashtags for the event. Social media is a great way to engage with new contacts and meet old ones too.
• If you receive a business card, thank them politely, pass them your card and put their card in your outside jacket pocket. When you are away from them write on the card any actions you need to do and then stow that card securely.
• Enjoy it, but remember, there is a reason you went – make sure you don’t leave without that objective being completed.

The people you meet

• People you talk to on Twitter will not know you in real life, know the difference and introduce yourself and treat them like a human. Hashtag IRL for reals.
• Rock stars in your industry have no idea who you are, be respectful and treat them like a human. Before you completely fan-boi yourself, know what you want to ask them. Don’t just stand there grinning inanely! They are there as they want to meet people too and find out new stuff for themselves.

But I’m shy/uncomfortable at conferences

Conferences are a people space. If you are shy or uncomfortable, the first thing to recognise is that you are not alone in feeling that way.

• Plan for – what do you say after you say “Hello.”
• Think about having some pre-prepared openers if you want to talk to someone:
  • Hi, how are you?
  • What are you up to these days?
  • How are you finding the show so far?
  • Are any stands worth going to?
  • Seen any good talks?
  • What talks do you recommend?
  • Are you doing BS Bingo too?
• It is likely you’ll meet people you know. How cool is that!
• With people who know you, you can relax a little. Know to create some space and allow them to move off if they want to.
• If you feel like you have a tag-along, recognise that they may be feeling similar to you and are feeling vulnerable themselves. Maybe try introducing them to another of your friends if you need the space.
• Most event managers have their own table so try and find them. They might be able to give you access to a quiet room or space if you need a break.
• Consider going outside if you need a rest away from the sensory chaos.
• If you can escape, go for a walk away from the venue and put your headphones on – I’d recommend using the 5-minute Relax mode from The Zensory app.

After the event

Decompress – allow separation from the event to the next activity. Breathe, gather your thoughts.

Aftershow parties

Behave at parties! Don’t be THAT person.

• Drink responsibly.
• Some sectors are rife with sexism, be respectful of others.
• Be aware of who you are talking to at an after-party, where they work and their reasons for talking to you.
• Treat every new person you meet as your new boss.
• Some after-show parties have free beer paid for by a sponsor. Respect them for that, and say thanks.
• Be aware that you might need to buy drinks at some point. Drinks can be expensive … know your bar tab limit before realising you can’t afford that round.
• Afterwards, have somewhere to crash and recuperate.
• Don’t drink and drive – always cab or walk.

Post-event wash-up

• When you get back to your hotel room go through your swag and ditch the useless stuff, leave it for your cleaner with a nice note, “Saw this and thought I’d treat you – thank you for cleaning my room”.
• Ditch any brochures, or product guides for vendors that do not relate to you.
• The train journey home is a good place to think about the event.
• Write emails to everyone you met to say thanks for a great show and that you’ll follow up shortly with them.
• Spend some time writing up the show on a pad, who you met, what was good, and what you didn’t like or didn’t see.
• If you missed a particular seminar, contact the person who gave it and ask them if they could have a chat with you, look out for downloads of presentations too.
• Don’t do any of the above if you’re still drunk from the after-show party!
• When you go back to your place of employment, try to be subtle with the swag, it may give off the wrong impression – i.e. you just went there for the fun.
• Try writing a blog for your employer about what you learned at the event. It helps you sharpen your creativity and communication skills.

Hope that is a useful list. If you have any top tips, then fire them over to me below and I’ll add them to the list. If you see me at any of the events, please feel free to come and have a chat.

Thanks.

@SPCoulson