Getting the Most out of Your Shop.org Summit

This year’s Shop.org summit is just around the corner. Judging from the impressive line-up of speakers and sessions, it promises to be packed with valuable insight and collaboration with your peers. Here are just a few tips to ensure you make the most out of your trip to Dallas September 27-29.

1. Plan

It sounds like a given, but take time on the Summit website to plan which panels, speakers and exhibitors to check out. Winging it guarantees that you’ll miss valuable information and networking.

• Which topics are the most relevant for you and your business? What would be most valuable to bring back to your team?
• Which vendors in the exhibit hall address your current pain points? Who has intriguing new technology?
• Attend competitors’ panels or visit their booths. In addition to understanding how your competitors are positioning themselves, it’s always great to have friendly relationships in your domain. The Shop.org summit is about bringing together people in the industry to address topics that are important to all of us.
• Schedule meetings if possible so you don’t have to rely on luck to make the right connections.

2. Dive in

If you have multiple attendees from your company, divide and conquer. Go to different sessions and share your learnings with your team. If you travel in a pack, you’re not making the most of the opportunity.

Also, be open to last minute changes. Yes, a moment ago I told you to plan everything out, but you need to be flexible. One small shift to catch a speaker that everyone is buzzing about could be the best thing about your Summit experience.

3. See the Sights

Dallas is a great town – in fact, it’s my hometown. Take at least one evening to get out and eat at the Silver Fox Steakhouse just a few minutes from the Summit. Try the Chilean Sea Bass or the III Forks Salad. The Rangers are in contention at the moment, so we may get lucky and have the opportunity to catch a playoff game at the ballpark. Make sure to take advantage of your visit!

Have a great summit and I hope to see you in Dallas!