12 Tips for Making the Most of Grace Hopper Celebration India (GHCi) 2024

Attending a conference is a powerful way to accelerate growth and connect with others in your field, especially for those who may feel underrepresented. It fosters a sense of community, where you can share experiences, find inspiration, and draw support from role models. 

After its five-year hiatus, I’m thrilled to attend Grace Hopper Celebration India (GHCi) this year on 20-22 November! This 3-day event offers a unique chance to connect with incredible women, non-binary folks, and allies in tech, while learning from talented individuals and supporting the community. Having attended Grace Hopper before, I’ve put together an Insider’s Guide to help you make the most of your experience—before, during, and after the conference.

“Imagine stepping into a room buzzing with energy, surrounded by hundreds — or even thousands — of people in your field. This is the power of Grace Hopper, and it’s all about learning and connection.”

Before: Prep Like a Pro

Set personal goals: What do you want to achieve by attending the event? Whether it’s landing a job, learning a new skill, or meeting inspiring people in tech, having clear goals will help you stay focused.

Research the agenda: This year’s 3-day event counts six tracks, 200+ speakers and 100+ sessions. Don’t just review the schedule—dive deep into the agenda! Identify which talks you want to attend and who you want to see, and plan your route in advance to save time once you’re there. Good prep work will also help you avoid decision fatigue once you're at the conference. Check out the latest updates about GHCi on AnitaB.org Linkedin.

"This year, I'm especially excited for the leaders discussion on Diversity in Tech where Lalitha Ramani, GM of Google Maps Experiences, is participating as a panelist."

Perfect your pitch: Imagine meeting the CEO of your dream company… What would you say? Be ready to introduce yourself confidently. Practice your elevator pitch and update your resume, LinkedIn, and GitHub portfolio. You never know who you might meet or who may want to learn more about you.

Pack smart: Bring essentials like a mini notebook for notes and anything else you’d like to keep with you throughout the day, such as a laptop and water bottle. When it comes to dress, business casual is the way to go—but feel free to add your personal flair within these boundaries. Passion and enthusiasm are contagious, so bring your best self, too!

During: Make the Most of Your Time at Grace Hopper

Make a strong first impression: Whether you’re meeting someone at a session, in a booth, or while on the go, project confidence by making eye contact, offering a firm handshake, and actively listening. Be genuine, engage with passion, and strike a balanced conversation to create a memorable connection. In my experience, the people who stand out can articulate what they've done in their career or in a story they're sharing.

Ask thoughtful questions: Deepen your conversations with questions like, "What are the biggest challenges your team is facing?" or "What growth opportunities exist at your company?" These questions show interest and will help you connect on a more meaningful level. The answers you receive will not provide valuable insight—they’ll also give you a sneak peek into what recruiters and hiring managers are looking for.

Embrace spontaneity: Networking isn’t just about scheduled interactions. Be open to spontaneous conversations! Start with a simple, “Hi, I’m [Name] and I’m on a _____ team. What brings you here?” It’s an easy icebreaker you can use with anyone you meet.

“First impressions are not about being perfect; they're about being authentic, confident, and engaged. Go out there, make connections, and leave a lasting impression."

Recharge strategically: With so much going on at a multi-day conference like Grace Hopper, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Take breaks when you need to—have a snack, find a quiet spot, and focus on quality over quantity. There’s no need to attend every session! Listen to your body and take breaks when needed to stay energized.

After: Master the Art of Follow-Up

Reflect and plan your next steps: Review your notes and identify key takeaways. Which learnings can you apply right away? What steps can you take to incorporate new ideas into future plans? Reflecting on what resonated with you will help reinforce your learning.

Follow up quickly: Within 24-48 hours, reach out to new connections with a personalized message that references what you talked about. If you’re not sure what to say, consider continuing the conversation, sharing a relevant article, or inviting them to an online community. Genuine interactions go a long way.

Build mutually beneficial relationships: Networking isn’t just about taking, relationships should be mutually beneficial. Depending on the nature of the connection, you might offer something in return — whether it’s an introduction, a virtual coffee chat, or an invite to a future event. Feel free to get creative with your offer, so long as it’s relevant to your new relationship!

Stay engaged: Nurture your new connections by interacting with their content on LinkedIn or other relevant platforms. Keeping in touch strengthens relationships and will give you a stronger pulse on what's happening across teams, companies, and the tech industry.

Career-focused conferences like Grace Hopper offer amazing opportunities to grow professionally and personally. By preparing ahead, applying new learnings, and making genuine connections, you can make the most of the experience and build lasting relationships that will extend well beyond the event.

If you’re attending GHCi this week, I hope to see you there — stop by Google’s main booth to say hello!