Whether you’re heading to Accountex this week or attending any other big accounting event, here are a dozen of my top tips to help you get the most value from your time there.
These events are typically full-on. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, miss things, or come away wondering what the fuss was about.
But with a little forethought, you can take control and make it a brilliant and worthwhile use of your time.
1 – Arrive with a plan
Accountex is huge. There are 14 theatres with CPD lectures and talks on the hour every hour. And over 300 exhibitors. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
You won’t see everything. So don’t try. Use the app or website to plan your top priorities – whether that’s speakers, CPD sessions, exhibitors or meeting up with specific people.
Be realistic though. No one gets into every CPD session they fancy due to space constraints. Will you arrive early to get a seat at the sessions you REALLY want to attend? Will you stand at the back or instead go to your second or even third choice talk for that time slot?
2 – Be selective with freebies
Yes, some giveaways are fun. But only take the stuff you’ll actually use. Otherwise you’ll go home with a bag full of regret, novelty socks and branded pens and notebooks you didn’t really want.
3 – Choose the exhibitors you want to see
Maybe you want to say hello to existing suppliers, to check out alternatives or just to visit random stands out of curiosity. The choice is yours. Ask whatever questions you like about what matters to you and do not feel any obligation to commit to anything on the day.
4 – Choose software demos on your terms
Only stop for a software demo if it’s genuinely of interest. Making eye contact doesn’t mean you’ve signed up for a 40-minute sales pitch. Be polite, be firm, and move on if it doesn’t seem relevant to you or your clients.
5 – Prioritise what matters to you
Be picky and choosy. Think about what you want to learn or who you want to meet. Choose sessions and speakers that align with your goals – not just the ones with the flashiest titles or the biggest names. Having said that maybe someone new will open your eyes or your mind to how the world of accontancy is changing. Do you want to know what others are doing differently to you? And what about checking out new tech and app that you could usefully mention to your clients?
6 – Talk to someone new
It’s tempting to stick with familiar faces, but you’ll get far more out of the event if you chat to a few strangers too. You never know who you might meet – a future collaborator, supplier or even a new mate who “gets it”.
7 – Bring your headphones
New this year at Accountex: You can listen to theatre sessions through your own headphones via the Olyusei app. The orgainsiers promise that it should be a great way to hear clearly and focus – without straining to hear over the buzz and distractions outside each theatre (as they are all open to the main exhibition).
8 – Take proper breaks
Top up your water bottle. Visit the Quiet zone, the Relax and recharge space or the Wellness retreat. And give your brain (and phone) a proper recharge. Review your notes and the flyers you have collected. This isn’t a stamina test.
9 – Keep your hype filter on
You’ll hear big claims and see shiny new things. Some will be brilliant. Some won’t. Ask questions, probe a little deeper, and remember – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably needs a reality check. As you hopefully know, I spend a good amount of time debunking the hype, hacks and hopeless advice shared by people with a limited understanding of what really matters to accountants like you.
10 – Only post on social media about your experience if you’re comfortable doing so
Will posting selfies, images with swag or at specific exhibition stands help you achieve your objectives online? If it’s something you enjoy doing, fill your boots. I’m a regular attendee and more active online than most, but I’m normally too busy to bother posting on social media or even on Linkedin during events like this.
11 – Take action to implement your takeaways
There’s little point in attending such events if you don’t learn anything new. So check your notes, handouts and memories so that you can make some changes and try doing new things (or doing old things differently).
12 – Follow up afterwards
Connections made at events like this have a short shelf life if you don’t do anything with them. A quick LinkedIn message or email the next day helps keep conversations going – while you’re still fresh in people’s minds.
Again, if you’re familiar with my advice on how to be better remembered, referred and recommended, you’ll know I talk about the value of following up effectively after every conversation and meeting. The same applies as regards the conversations you might have at Accountex (or at any other such events).
