The Ultimate Conference Guide

by Stephen Altrogge on May 24, 2008

While I’m here at the New Attitude conference I thought I would pass along a few conference tips and tricks that I’ve learned over the years. Hopefully these help you when you attend a conference.

Conference Rule #1: Don’t bluff when you can’t remember somebody’s name.

At conferences you run into a lot of people that you sort of know, but can’t remember their name. Don’t try and poker bluff your way out of it with a bunch of generic phrases like:

“Heeeeyyy [long pause] buddy.”

“How is your [pause] your family?”

Everybody knows what you’re trying to pull, so don’t bother. Also, it’s not a good idea to throw out random name guesses (“Is it Barb, or is it Bambie?”). You just look dumb. So just admit that you can’t remember their name and move on.

{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

B. Minich May 28, 2008 at 11:35 am

If I had seen this before I left, I would have advised making sure you grabbed food before the evening session and not counting on getting a late dinner. Unless you are desperate and want to go to White Castle. Which I have successfully avoided.

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YellerDaisies May 28, 2008 at 2:16 pm

What’s wrong with White Castle? It’s my favorite hamburger!!!!!! :-)

You can try what I did. I ran into a friend that I love dearly, but completely forgot her name (that’s what happens when you get no sleep and are living off of Iced Doubleshots)…My friend is Cuban and so I just said “Hey, Chica…” Everyone else in the Starbucks didn’t even look up (that’s what happens when everyone is like me and so white :-) ). But, she turned around immediately…it was pretty funny!!!

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Stephen Altrogge May 28, 2008 at 8:05 pm

White Castle…sick.

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YellerDaisies May 28, 2008 at 8:58 pm

What??? Sad. How can you not like White Castle?

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Tim May 29, 2008 at 12:19 am

Out here on the left coast we can only get WC frozen, 1 box with 8 packages, 2 per package. Bliss. Makes me glad the good Lord gave us the microwave.

‘course, WC, fresh or frozen, can’t compare to In-n-out. Word.

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Tim May 29, 2008 at 12:21 am

Plus, when you’re stuck for a name just say “dude”, dude. Works even if the dude isn’t a dude.

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YellerDaisies May 29, 2008 at 7:44 am

Tim,
I completely agree. Glad there’s another strange person that loves WC. My family buys the frozen ones (we don’t have any restraunts in the deep south) on a monthly basis. :-)

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