“I have lost” social skills!” I texted a friend on my way to my first in-person conference in four years. workshop it’s not new in itself – I’ve been to the same place every year for the past decade. But between the last in-person session in 2018, the virtual one in 2020 and this one in 2022, I’ve learned to appreciate the convenience of online learning. There are no flights. No costumes. No interaction with others—the perfect environment for an introvert like me.
But 10 months after signing up, I left my sweatpants and slippers at home and headed to the airport, eager to connect with friends old and new.
Virtual conferencing isn’t going away—not everyone feels comfortable traveling and spending time in a meeting room surrounded by strangers. Live events are back, though, and as you’re ready to mingle with like-minded people, these tips can help you get the most out of the experience.
Understand security protocols
After a series of lockdowns, restrictions fluctuated, variations and other infectious diseases, committing to a convention can be difficult. Before signing up, search the organization’s website to see what to expect when you arrive. Are you required to show proof of vaccinations? Will the mask be required in the session? Will you have access to medical care onsite?
Tanya Philyaw, a senior meeting organizer of International meeting planners (Ministry of Planning and Investment). “If anyone was feeling bad, we sent them to the event’s staff doctor.”
She directs those concerned about her team’s safety to the protocol on their website. The “Know Before You Go” document has a Duty of Care section that includes: “While it is not mandatory to wear a mask when attending, please respect those who wish to continue to wear a mask while in public. ” It’s common sense but a good reminder: If you’re sick, stay home.
Practice your social skills first
You’ve committed to the conference, and now it’s time to express yourself. Social skills, like any other skill, require constant effort. “People often feel out of practice and uncomfortable,” says Miriam Kirmayer, a clinical psychologist and friendship expert. “We tend to personalize discomfort instead of seeing it as a normal human response to vulnerability and uncertainty.”
She said we tell ourselves we should know how Navigate our friendship Like adults. And it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing, “I should have figured this out by now”—a common theme in her work and research on friendship. “For some of us, it’s been a long time since we’ve made new friends.”
Start by making eye contact when paying at the grocery store or while walking around your neighborhood. Start light chats with the barista or catch up with friends at lunch or after work. The goal is for you to feel more comfortable interacting with others and making friends when you come to the conference.
Communicate with others before you leave home
The organizer of the workshop I signed up for provided a list of attendees through Dropbox. Not all organizations have a list available—the list depends on compliance issues and the size of the event. But if you can identify the name by checking the group’s website, reach out to others via social media. Philyaw recommends using LinkedIn. “Follow someone or send a text: ‘Hey, I went to the conference too. What do you want to get out of this event?’” she said.
“If, as introverts, we go without planning and preparation and see who will be there, we are setting ourselves up for failure,” says Matthew Pollard, author of the book. The Introvert’s Edge series. He suggests that liking a few articles and posts by people you want to meet can be helpful.
