Advice for Conference Attendance Be selective in panel attendance Search out people who are doing the kind of research you’re interested in and

don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to them. Attending at least one business meeting and getting your name on a reviewing list Finding a party or two to attend for places you’d like to go to graduate school (if

not Ph.D. students), would like to potentially work at, or scholars you’d like to meet work at

Stick to you time limit during your presentation Go to the caucus meetings and to sign up to do reviews for the conference. You

meet the "big wigs" of that division and can converse with them after the meeting adjourns but you also put your name out there by reviewing for the division. 

Be mindful of your interaction and attendance at parties. Maintain a professional persona and still be able to attend as many sessions as possible. 

Ask a mentor or advisor to attend the grad school fair or other events where you can network. Most of your faculty and their colleagues are more than willing to introduce you to the people

Attend the convention-sponsored meals and receptions and sit at tables with people you don't know.

Attend top paper panels and business meetings for divisions that relate to your interests.

Attend the "all-star" panels for a variety of reasons. You can learn from watching our top scholars interact in public.

Bring business cards (Vistaprint.com is a good resource to do this inexpensively) and, if they're getting ready to apply for PhD programs or jobs, several copies of their CV. 

If you’re planning to apply for PhD programs, identify the people that they would like to work with in each program they're applying to and find a way to meet them and have a conversation-- maybe at the graduate open house, maybe Scholar's Office Hours, perhaps by attending a presentation by that person and talking with them for a few minutes afterward, and ideally by having someone make the introduction if possible... and then to follow up with a thank you/nice to meet you email afterward.

Look at Google Maps in advance to identify a few quick go-to places to find coffee, food, etc. nearby since lines are often long and prices high in convention hotels, as well as packing a few snacks that can serve a mini-meals for days when it's impossible to get lunch and make it to all of the sessions that you want on time.  No need to ruin a conference with a headache or grouchiness because you didn't eat, especially when you're trying to make a good impression and build connections that might impact your future in academe.

Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to people, especially those scholars who conduct work you admire.