INFORMS Open Forum

  • 1.  Share your top tips for Annual Meeting attendees

    Posted 10-06-2023 08:16

    For those of you who've attended the INFORMS Annual Meeting in the past, what are some top tips you can share with people who may be attending for the first time? Any suggestions on how to best organize their time at the event, where to find the best networking opportunities? 



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    Jill Capello
    Membership Associate
    INFORMS
    Catonsville MD
    jcapello@informs.org
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  • 2.  RE: Share your top tips for Annual Meeting attendees

    Posted 10-06-2023 10:53

    When it comes to networking opportunities, I tend to think of two different versions of "networking". (This is from the academic perspective.) One is that there is someone doing research of interest to you that you would like to meet and possibly have as a collaborator. In that situation, I would try to attend a session at which they presented, then catch them afterward and chat about their work and how it might dovetail with yours. The other version is just meeting fellow OR professionals. I think the best venues for that are the coffee breaks, the welcome reception and the various society / chapter / whatever business meetings. Newcomers might be surprised to learn that the business meetings tend to have adult beverages and a bit of mingling before and after. 

    As far as organizing time goes, specifically in regard to the technical sessions, the phrase "drinking from a fire hose" comes to mind. Don't think about attending all the interesting sessions and presentations. Just hit some of particular interest and assume that the good stuff in other sessions will find its way into journals someday.



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    Paul Rubin
    Professor Emeritus
    Michigan State University
    East Lansing MI
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Share your top tips for Annual Meeting attendees

    Posted 10-06-2023 11:44

    A few quick tips or pieces of advice:

    1. Be prepared to adjust your schedule should you find yourself in a good conversation that runs long or is unexpected.  Personal connection is way more valuable than adhering to a rigid schedule of technical sessions.  Unless of course you are presenting...don't be late to your own session.

    2. If you are not already actively volunteering with INFORMs, consider attending at least one business meeting of interest.  Societies, fora and more are looking for new volunteers all the time.  Perhaps you will find a good "home" within INFORMS filled with people that will help you grow.  Plus they often have food and drink for attendees!

    3. During, and after annual, connect electronically with people you meet.  I find LinkedIn is a great tool for this, but email can also work.  Share your LinkedIn profile and/or email with others.  Odds are high that you will have some conversations you would like to continue after the event is over.

    4. Last tips....hydrate, eat healthy, and wear comfortable shoes.



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    Nick Ulmer
    Principal Operations Research Analyst
    CANA
    Pacific Grove CA
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Share your top tips for Annual Meeting attendees

    Posted 10-11-2023 10:17

    Here are a few tips I haven't seen yet:

    1.  Clean your glasses.
    2.  Body Glide Anti-Chafe Balm. You will do more walking than you realize, and your feet might not be used to walking that much in business-casual-appropriate shoes.
    3.  Remember that not everyone is a student or someone who works in academia. Instead of asking a new connection, "Which university are you with?", try: "Which organization are you from?" Along similar lines, keep in mind that not everyone who has a career in operations research has/wants/needs a PhD.
    4.  Almost every networking opportunity for specific communities is open to everyone, regardless of how they identify, who wants to support that community. For example, if you aren't a military veteran, you are still welcome at the Veterans Interest Forum Coffee and Conversation event.
    5.  There's a whole lot more to INFORMS than this conference. Use some of your time in Phoenix to find communities and resources that you can access year-round.


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    Kathryn Walter
    Senior Operations Research Analyst
    Avista Corp
    Spokane WA
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    Original Message


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