INFORMS Open Forum

Hello!

I'm a PhD Student who is planning to attend the conference in Toronto this summer. I have a poster and a presentation to give, but I want to make the most of my time there; optimize it, if you will. Other presentations are interesting, but my last couple of conference events have felt rather fruitless. Everyone says networking is the best thing to spend time on at these events, so I guess I'd like to get started early on that! 

If you are planning to attend the HC conference, I'd love to chat with you! I would appreciate any advice or support on how to make the most of the conference. Thanks!

Joshua, I would pick out a few people who are 'luminaries' in your research field. You can probably tell who they are from the key people in your course work, references etc and from your professors.  Then make an effort to meet each of them at the conference. You may be able to check in advance if they are coming. You can also email them and ask if they are going, that you would like to meet them, and maybe talk about (x), x being your topic, or perhaps some related idea you think they will be interested in.  You can think of some possible (x) in advance even.

Then, going into the conference, you either have people to see, or you can search for them. Make sure to go to the networking events, the cocktail party, the dinners. Try to sit at table with one of them.  

My advice is don't hesitate to go up and speak to your person;  most profs are more than happy to chat about work or answer a question or two.  

The exhibit area is another place you can often catch your target browsing.

It takes a bit of gall, but can be well worth it. Basic sales techniques.

Hello!

I'm a PhD Student who is planning to attend the conference in Toronto this summer. I have a poster and a presentation to give, but I want to make the most of my time there; optimize it, if you will. Other presentations are interesting, but my last couple of conference events have felt rather fruitless. Everyone says networking is the best thing to spend time on at these events, so I guess I'd like to get started early on that! 

If you are planning to attend the HC conference, I'd love to chat with you! I would appreciate any advice or support on how to make the most of the conference. Thanks!

Hello!

I'm a PhD Student who is planning to attend the conference in Toronto this summer. I have a poster and a presentation to give, but I want to make the most of my time there; optimize it, if you will. Other presentations are interesting, but my last couple of conference events have felt rather fruitless. Everyone says networking is the best thing to spend time on at these events, so I guess I'd like to get started early on that! 

If you are planning to attend the HC conference, I'd love to chat with you! I would appreciate any advice or support on how to make the most of the conference. Thanks!

Hi Joshua! INFORMS will shortly be sharing an interview with the two outstanding chairs of the 2023 conference, during which they share advice for first time attendees. As soon as this is live I will post the link in this thread!

Ashley 

Hello!

I'm a PhD Student who is planning to attend the conference in Toronto this summer. I have a poster and a presentation to give, but I want to make the most of my time there; optimize it, if you will. Other presentations are interesting, but my last couple of conference events have felt rather fruitless. Everyone says networking is the best thing to spend time on at these events, so I guess I'd like to get started early on that! 

If you are planning to attend the HC conference, I'd love to chat with you! I would appreciate any advice or support on how to make the most of the conference. Thanks!

Hello!

I'm a PhD Student who is planning to attend the conference in Toronto this summer. I have a poster and a presentation to give, but I want to make the most of my time there; optimize it, if you will. Other presentations are interesting, but my last couple of conference events have felt rather fruitless. Everyone says networking is the best thing to spend time on at these events, so I guess I'd like to get started early on that! 

If you are planning to attend the HC conference, I'd love to chat with you! I would appreciate any advice or support on how to make the most of the conference. Thanks!

Bruce's recommendations are on the mark. Make a point to strike up conversations with the folks along in age.  They will love it.  Create a plan, remember the purpose of a plan is to be able to intelligently respond to opportunities that emerge.

Hello!

I'm a PhD Student who is planning to attend the conference in Toronto this summer. I have a poster and a presentation to give, but I want to make the most of my time there; optimize it, if you will. Other presentations are interesting, but my last couple of conference events have felt rather fruitless. Everyone says networking is the best thing to spend time on at these events, so I guess I'd like to get started early on that! 

If you are planning to attend the HC conference, I'd love to chat with you! I would appreciate any advice or support on how to make the most of the conference. Thanks!

Hello!

I'm a PhD Student who is planning to attend the conference in Toronto this summer. I have a poster and a presentation to give, but I want to make the most of my time there; optimize it, if you will. Other presentations are interesting, but my last couple of conference events have felt rather fruitless. Everyone says networking is the best thing to spend time on at these events, so I guess I'd like to get started early on that! 

If you are planning to attend the HC conference, I'd love to chat with you! I would appreciate any advice or support on how to make the most of the conference. Thanks!