For the past few years, we’ve put together, promoted and hosted a successful RECONVERGE:G2 event. And every year we get a lot of the same questions. In an effort to be more proactive, we put together a list of the most frequently asked questions. We hope your questions are answered here, but if not, feel free to let us know what we overlooked and we’ll continue to expand this article over time.
What Should I Bring to G2?
Business Cards
It can be easy to forget your business cards in all the excitement, but don’t! Better yet, make sure they are current. And if they aren’t, get some shiny new ones made, at least 50-100. You’ll thank us later.
Laptop and Charger
You’ll want to take notes during the sessions. Maybe even do some live blogging or a little work/emailing. Yep, you’ll want to make sure you bring these guys along.
Phone Charger
At the very least, bring a USB charging cord to charge your mobile from your computer. If you want to be extra prepared, bring a wall charger for your laptop so you don’t run out of juice (And if you want to make some friends, bring a power strip, too!).
How Should I Prepare Before My Flight?
Get a map of the conference center.
While the Monona Terrace isn’t a huge conference center, it can be unfamiliar if you aren’t a regular visitor. Give yourself a leg-up by accessing a map and printing it out — or bookmark it on your phone’s browser for reference. RECONVERGE:G2 will be held entirely on Level 2 in the Community Terrace Room.
Get a map of Madison, too!
If you’re venturing into unfamiliar territory, bring a map of the area — or use Google Maps to orient yourself. There may be a time on your trips between conference center, hotel, restaurants or other attractions where you’ll be happy you came prepared.
View/Download Madison travel map and brochure | Plan Your Trip: Getting Around Madison
Update Your Social Accounts
During the conference or after you may find yourself wanting to connect with some of your new friends or one of our featured speakers. They may be looking to do the same with you. At a minimum, be sure your LinkedIn and Twitter profiles are current. Facebook and Google+ are secondary. If you really hit it off, be sure your Instagram or SnapChat accounts are “hip” as well.
Register for RECONVERGE.NET
Speaking of social accounts, why not sign up for the most awesome social learning community for analytics and insights professionals? You can get started for free and, when you’re ready, you can upgrade for $1 for the first 30 days.
Set your out-of-office (OOO) message, and enjoy yourself!
If you need some inspiration for an OOO message (or a delayed response message, if you’re still checking email while you’re away), here are a few hilarious and creative suggestions:
- Hi. I’m thinking about what you’ve just sent me. Please wait by your PC for my response.
- I am out of the office from mm/dd to mm/dd and will not be checking email. It’s likely your note will be swallowed in a sea of inbox banality, never to be seen again. If you require a response, please re-send your email after mm/dd.
- I am away from the office right now on a trip. Unfortunately I will be back next week.
- The email server is unable to verify your server connection. Your message has not been delivered. Please restart your computer and try sending again.
Do you have a dress code for RECONVERGE:G2?
We get asked this a lot. Our answer: dress business casual.
However, it is springtime in Wisconsin and the weather could go either way. Make sure to pack some light options as well as some warmer options, just to be on the safe side. Days tend to be warmer, while evenings could be cooler, especially since the conference is downtown Madison between two lakes.
If you want to really be sure, go to weather.com and look up Madison (53703).
What Should I Expect at G2?
If this is your first time at G2, have no fear! We’ve put together a short list of what you can expect once you get here.
Lots of Networking
What would a symposium of like-minded professionals be without the networking? Be ready to talk and listen (a lot) during breakfast, networking breaks, lunch, and our evening activities with peers you can count on. You’ll walk away with 60+ new friends and colleagues that can share best and next practices in the Intelligence profession.
Lots of Note-taking
Did we mention to not forget your laptop and charger? Because there will be plenty of things to take notes on. Don’t let “the day after G2 and I didn’t take notes” syndrome happen to you!
Opportunities to Ask Questions
Most sessions leave time at the end for a brief Q&A session. Come prepared to focus on the topic being presented and jot down your questions. You will have a chance to ask them at the end of the session or later one-on-one with the speaker during one of our many networking opportunities.
A New Perspective
If past years have the ability to predict this year’s experience, you’ll come in thinking you’re pretty smart, and then leave realizing how much more you have to learn. Definitely not a bad thing!
No Pressure, Just Learning
You may be accustomed to other conferences having pushy vendor booths and presentations with sales pitches. At RECONVERGE:G2, we believe in providing only the best social learning experience possible, no sales pitch in sight.