A discreet and professional demeanour when attending an out-of-town conference is essential in maintaining a positive image in the eyes of clients and colleagues.
A packed conference room is a room full of people who are judging you before they even meet you, says Linda Allan, a certified management consultant in Toronto who specializes in business behaviour. Be sure to make a good impression on anyone glancing in your direction. A faux pas on your part could turn them off and deter them from doing business with you in the future.
Follow these tips to make your next out-of-town conference a success:
> Respect other guests
When you’re out in public as part of a large group, it’s easy to forget about others. Be courteous to other travelers in spaces such as airports and lobbies, who may not be part of the conference.
If you meet with friends in the hotel lobby, try not to be too loud and disruptive to other guests, says Allan. Similarly, keep your voice down when using mobile devices.
> Show discretion
Refrain from making comments — particularly negative ones — about the conference, clients or your company to friends and colleagues when at the conference or in the hotel, says Allan. You may think your conversation is private, but if you’re waiting for an elevator or sitting in the lobby, chances are someone will overhear.
> Act like a host
Stay professional by imagining you are hosting the conference.
The atmosphere at a conference can sometimes make attendees feel as if they’re on vacation. This casual attitude can result in people becoming a little too familiar and informal, a particular problem if clients are present, says Allan. Instead, make sure you maintain your “at work” demeanour and dress appropriately throughout the conference. And don’t go overboard at the buffets and bars.
Says Allan: “Your duty [at the conference] is to meet people, to mingle, to make other people feel comfortable [and] to learn as much as you can.”
> Clean up your room
People will always peek through an open door, so keep your room presentable at all times.
If your door is propped open by the housekeepers’ cart, says Allan, a colleague or client could easily catch a glimpse inside. A room strewn with clothes and litter would create a bad impression.
> Leave the towels behind
Refrain from trying to put everything that isn’t nailed down in the hotel room into your luggage.
While it’s acceptable to pocket a few little soaps and bathroom amenities, says Allan, taking everything that you can from the hotel could have people thinking you are dishonest and unprofessional. And they’d be right.
IE