You’re attending a sports management conference. How can you maximize your experience?

You’re attending a sports management conference. How can you maximize your experience? Whether you’re a student, a professional, or an enthusiast, a sports management conference can be a valuable opportunity to learn, network, and advance your career. However, it can also be overwhelming, especially if you’re not prepared. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your time at a sports management conference.

1 Set your goals

Before you register for a conference, ask yourself what you want to achieve. Do you want to learn new skills, trends, or best practices? Do you want to meet potential employers, mentors, or collaborators? Do you want to showcase your work, get feedback, or pitch an idea? Having clear and realistic goals will help you choose the right conference, plan your agenda, and prioritize your activities.

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Ángel J. Martínez López

Commercial and Partnerships Manager at World Football Summit | Football Industry | Sport Partnerships | PhD Sports Management
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La conferencia no empieza el día de la conferencia. La conferencia empieza dos semanas antes analizando los asistentes y fijando los objetivos a cumplir durante el evento. Sin un trabajo previo de preparación, sólo aprovecharás un 10% del potencial del evento.

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Khaili Sanders

Training Manager | Talent Empowerment Consultant | Founding Board Member | Former Professional Basketball Player
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In the past, the ways I approached maximizing my experiences when I attended sports management conferences were by focusing on both regional and national conferences, to build a stronger network. Choosing knowledge tracks that were related to my functional duties and responsibilities and choosing conferences based on the resources provided after the conferences were over. Conferences that encompassed the attributes above were my determining factors for choosing the best one for me.

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2 Do your research

Once you’ve selected a conference, do some homework on the speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees. Find out who they are, what they do, and what they offer. This will help you identify the sessions, workshops, panels, or booths that are most relevant and interesting to you. It will also help you prepare some questions, comments, or elevator pitches that you can use to start conversations and build relationships.

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3 Be flexible

While it’s good to have a plan, don’t be afraid to change it if you find something more appealing or beneficial. For example, you might discover a new topic, a hidden gem, or a serendipitous connection that you didn’t expect. Alternatively, you might realize that a session, a workshop, or a panel is not what you hoped for or is too crowded or boring. In that case, don’t hesitate to leave and find something else that suits your needs and goals.

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Khaili Sanders

Training Manager | Talent Empowerment Consultant | Founding Board Member | Former Professional Basketball Player
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I attended a high school basketball coaches clinic one year, and all the guest college coaches were from top ACC and SEC schools. Some of them were presenting at the same time. Although I chose an X's and O's track, the other topics such as Team Dynamics and Defensive Strategies were just as interesting. Because of this, I hopped around from one session to another, using my iPad to record the sessions. I later connected with other coaches to see their notes from the portions of the sessions I missed.

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4 Network smartly

Attending a sports management conference is a great opportunity to network with other professionals and experts in the field. However, it's not just about exchanging business cards or collecting contacts, but about building genuine and lasting relationships that can help you grow and succeed. To make the most of this chance, be selective when choosing who to talk to, focus on those who share your interests, values, or objectives. Show respect by actively listening, asking open-ended questions, and demonstrating appreciation and curiosity. Additionally, be memorable by sharing your story, passion, and value proposition. Use humor, anecdotes, or insights to make an impression. Finally, don't wait for others to approach you or follow up with you; take initiative and offer help or collaboration. Follow up promptly, politely, and personally.

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Khaili Sanders

Training Manager | Talent Empowerment Consultant | Founding Board Member | Former Professional Basketball Player
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Early on in my career, I was a member of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (NACWAA), an association of women administrators from all levels (DI, DII, DII, etc). One year, they held their conference at the KFC Yum Center in Louisville, KY, and Mark Emmert, the former NCAA president, was a guest speaker. I decided to stand up and share my experience as both a player and admin, as a way to make myself known and put myself on people's radar. By doing that, networking became easier because people now knew who I was.

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5 Have fun

Finally, don’t forget to have fun at a sports management conference. After all, you’re there to enjoy yourself as well as to learn and network. Take advantage of the social events, the entertainment, and the attractions that the conference and the venue offer. Relax, mingle, and have fun with likeminded people who share your passion for sports management. You might make some new friends, find some new opportunities, or discover some new perspectives that will enrich your experience and your career.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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You’re attending a sports management conference. How can you maximize your experience?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Set your goals

2 Do your research

3 Be flexible

4 Network smartly

5 Have fun

6 Here’s what else to consider

Sports Management

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You’re attending a sports management conference. How can you maximize your experience?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Set your goals

2 Do your research

3 Be flexible

4 Network smartly

5 Have fun

6 Here’s what else to consider

Sports Management

Rate this article

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