By Rachel Williams, NACAC Communications
Arlington, VA (Sept. 16, 2024) — If NACAC Conference 2024 in Los Angeles will be your first NACAC conference, you’re not alone. More than 1,000 registered attendees have already signed up for the First Timers’ Orientation, happening on opening day.
Navigating a major conference can be overwhelming, but with the right strategies, you can make the most of your experience. Here are some essential tips for making your debut at NACAC Conference 2024:
- Download the NACAC Events App: The conference app is a valuable tool for connecting with fellow attendees and planning your schedule. Use it to explore educational sessions, network, and stay updated on conference happenings. The app is available for both iOS and Android users.
- Pace Yourself: With numerous sessions and events, it’s important to pace yourself. Focus on a few key areas of interest and remain engaged in other NACAC opportunities throughout the year to avoid burnout. Remember, you don’t have to do everything at once.
- Engage in Interpersonal Moments: Take advantage of informal settings like coffee breaks and lunch. These moments often lead to meaningful conversations and help expand your network organically. Building relationships can be as impactful as attending sessions.
- Value Your Presence: Whether you are attending your first or your 20th conference, your presence is valuable. Remember, everyone is here to improve their skills for the benefit of students. Experienced attendees are often eager to share their knowledge and may even offer mentorship.
- Embrace the Community: While the conference may seem large, the college admission counseling community is relatively small. Use this opportunity to connect deeply and build lasting relationships within this close-knit field.
- Follow Up on Connections: Collect business cards and follow up with new contacts within a week. Connect on NACAC Engage, the association’s membership engagement platform, or LinkedIn and send a brief note referencing your conversation.
- Share Your Experience: Communicate what you’ve learned with your colleagues and supervisor. This helps them understand the value of your attendance and encourages a culture of continuous learning within your organization.
- Set and Achieve Goals: Identify three key goals for the conference and allocate time to achieve them. Having clear objectives will help you stay focused and make your experience more rewarding.
In its 80th year, NACAC Conference 2024 is happening Sept. 26-28. Other highlights to plan for are a keynote speech from Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the Counselors’ College Fair where counselors meet with admission teams in a college fair format, the Access College Fair where college access organizations connect with conference attendees, and much more.
