Washington DC is the perfect place for attending a conference and doing business. Even if you dislike having to focus on your bottom line and networking with potential clients, you can get a lot out of it. Attending a business conference can be more productive than you think. You’ll find inspiration for new ideas, explore opportunities to connect with new people, and get some much-needed motivation.

There are several Washington DC business conferences taking place this year. One of them includes the Business Resilience Conference, which provides attendees with the opportunity to learn how to reduce the effects of a man-made or natural disaster on your organization. This conference takes place on June 27 in Lafayette Square.

The 2019 Corporate Philanthropy Awards is taking place on Friday, November 8 at the Grand Hyatt Washington. You’ll get to network with the most inspirational companies and non-profits who have made a difference in their communities through philanthropic work. If you attend this event, you’ll want to book your stay at the Grand Hyatt Washington as soon as possible. You’ll get to stay in the center of Downtown Washington DC. You’ll have access to a modern and spacious room that reflects DC’s stylish metropolis.

Some of the best hotels in Washington DC cater to elite professionals such as yourself. If the Grand Hyatt is filled or you can’t otherwise stay there for some reason, there are some other good options. The Hamilton Hotel is nearby, in the same great location, and represents a landmark in downtown DC. Despite its classical looks, it boasts a stylish, modern interior.

As you can see, there are various business conferences for various purposes. To make the most of your business conference, here are six easy tips to help you prepare.

Pre-Plan Your Trip

The first thing you should do is to pre-plan your trip so you can make the most of it. Book your hotel and ground transportation well in advance, so you get what you need. No matter which hotel you choose in Washington DC, it should offer free shuttle to and from the conferences (or if your company is working with a dmc travel company, they will take care of transfers).

Since most of these conferences will take up most of your day. It’s important to wear comfortable shoes and professional attire. You don’t want to be the person who ends up walking barefoot around the conference at the end of the day.

Pick Your Sessions

If you book your conferences well in advance, plan out a strategy to choose sessions that are most engaging and beneficial to your skills. Make the most out of each session by asking questions, engaging with other individuals, and taking plenty of notes. Spend several minutes before or after the session to introduce yourself to the speaker. It also doesn’t hurt to do some research beforehand and jot down notes or questions you might have that go beyond the talk.

Perfect Your Pitch

These Washington DC conferences will give you the chance of introducing yourself and your business. You want to practice your pitch before you leave for your trip. Make sure that your message is clearly defined. You want to perfect your elevator pitch so you can make the most out of your business conference.

Prepare to Network

A business conference is also the perfect opportunity to network with other individuals. This is the perfect place to initiate new business contacts. If the conference is small, meet with exhibitors and sponsors who could turn into prospective clients or vendors. Depending on the size of the event, you might be able to network with everyone in the room.

Bring Marketing Material

The purpose of a business conference is to market your business and services. You want to bring several business cards, brochures, and flyers. Make sure the information on your marketing materials is accurate and up-to-date. Don’t cross it out and update the new information in handwriting; if you need an update get it printed in advance.

It’s important to convey a professional brand. Have all of your marketing materials updated a few weeks before your trip to ensure it’s to your standards. Write down the names of the people you met in your notebook to remind yourself later.

Follow-Up with Attendees

A week after your business trip, follow-up with each of your contacts by e-mail, phone call, or letter. You want to maintain contact with potential prospects that could be beneficial to your company. What bottom line do you want to achieve? Is it to network with attendees or vendors or to check out a specific session? You want to make sure this conference provides you with the right return on investment.