This is a guest post written by Mary Waite, Media Specialist at ROCORI Middle/High School. Do you need a scholarship to attend a conference? Check out our Scholarships page!

Attending an ISTE international conference can be overwhelming.  There is so much to see, learn, and explore.  With more than 18,000 people in attendance and navigating a large convention center, it can be a challenge. However, getting the most out of the experience with the least amount of anxiety and stress is doable if you follow a few recommendations.

The first tip is to realize you will not be able to attend every session or see every vendor. There are just too many to realistically schedule into your days. Getting over FOMO will make the conference more enjoyable. Go ahead and mark your dream sessions using the app. But know that you will need to make changes, and if a session is not for you, don’t stay in it. Presenters are not going to shine a spotlight on people who need to leave. Walk down the hall, and you will find the right fit for you.

Another tip is to take advantage of the simulcast sessions and the poster sessions. You can get a lot of great information walking through the many poster sessions. If giant crowds for keynote addresses are not your thing, go to a simulcast area where you can still get the advantage of the outstanding speakers.

My third tip is to bring a conference buddy. If you don’t know someone attending, look at the discussion boards to find out who from your area is attending. Conquering the sizeable conference is easier if you can share and trade information with someone else.

Don’t forget to leave some time to relax and recuperate. Explore the city with fellow attendees, wander through the exposition hall, or just find a quiet corner to meditate.

Finally, I would say “just do it.” The 2019 conference is in Philadelphia. Start planning now, and you will not regret the journey.