About 35% of Connect attendees each year are coming to T2’s customer conference for the first time. For some of that 35%, Connect may even be the first work conference they have attended. We understand that it can be difficult to know what to expect from or how to prepare for the conference. Whether this is your first time at Connect, you haven’t been in several years, or even if you’re a Connect veteran, the following tips and tricks will help you get the most out of your time in Tucson.
Pack comfortable shoes
You will be on your feet for most of the day attending sessions, walking the hotel grounds, and dancing the night away at our Customer Appreciation Party. Be sure to treat your feet with some comfortable shoes!
Bring business cards
Connect offers lots of opportunities to mix and mingle with fellow attendees, meet T2 employees, and visit our exhibitors. Don’t forget to grab a stack of business cards before you leave so that you can connect with people after the conference and build your network.
Download the Connect app
Did you know that we have a mobile app for Connect? Available soon on iOS and Android, the app allows you to build a personalized schedule, receive updates throughout the conference, have e-conversations with your fellow attendees, and more. Be sure to download the app before you go so you don’t miss out on all that Connect has to offer and be in the know with your fellow attendees.
Create your personalized schedule
Speaking of the Connect app, the schedule feature is very convenient and will take the stress out of deciding which of the 100+ training sessions to attend. You can see the daily schedule, read descriptions of every session, and add them to your calendar so you know exactly where to go and when.
Come with some goals
Leading up to Connect, think about what you want to get out of the conference. Do you want to learn more about parking? Get training on the T2 solutions your operation uses? Meet new people and build your network? Then set some specific goals for the conference, such as “attend 10 sessions” or “meet 15 new people”.
Prepare to share your voice
Connect isn’t a place to come and be talked at by T2 – it’s a place to collaborate as a community of parking professionals with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. When you come to Connect, be ready to share your own experiences and learn from fellow attendees during our sessions and social events.
Stay hydrated
Remember, we’ll be in the desert, so be sure to drink plenty of water! In addition to breakfast and lunch, there will be breaks in the morning and afternoon, giving you ample opportunity to hydrate and grab a water bottle for the next session on your schedule.
Attend social events
While training and networking may be the primary focuses of Connect, there are also amazing social events throughout the week, including the First-Time Attendee Session, Welcome Reception, and Customer Appreciation Party. These provide great opportunities to make new friends, interact with T2 staff, and have a little fun!
Continue the conversation
Attend a really interesting session? Have thoughts or questions about a topic that you really want to share? The conversation doesn’t have to end when the session does – have lunch or meet for breakfast with your fellow attendees or T2 staff and continue the discussion.
Build in some downtime
Each day at Connect is jam-packed with activities, and it’s tempting to try to attend every single one. However, it’s important to build some downtime into your schedule to give you a chance to recharge, whether that’s taking a walk on the hotel grounds, catching up on emails, or taking a quick nap.
Meet new people
For T2, Connect is all about strengthening and building on the strong community of customers that have helped all of us succeed for the last 25 years. Make an effort to meet new people throughout your time at Connect, as the connections you make will be there to answer questions, offer advice, and celebrate successes for years to come.
With these simple tips and tricks, you can be confident that you’re ready to get the most out of your time at Connect 2019. We can’t wait to see all of our amazing customers in Tucson from November 18-21!
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