The Online News Association's annual conference was in D.C. last week. In sifting through a small (on purpose) collection of business cards and follow-up e-mails, I did a post-mortem; it's always good to do some assessment after participating in a large event.
My checklist:
1. Did I reach my pre-convention goals?
2. Did I meet people who are doing things that could have an effect on my career?
3. Did I avail myself to people who were seeking advice?
5. Did I set a proper example to my mentee?
6. What "tribe" did I form or join?
6. Did I have fun? (really important)
I have already heard from some of the participants I met last week. Thirty more people are following me on Twitter who weren't before the conference. I figured out how to display one of my resumes on LinkedIn.com, and showed it during my presentation at the conference, getting interesting comments. I re-connected with other gurus I really like and who are doing interesting things. There were a couple of participants I didn't have time to talk with, but fortunately they live in the D.C. area, as do I. Meeting up will be easy.
The planning for next year's ONA conference in Boston is underway and two of the three lead organizers are long-standing colleagues of mine, so I've already been tapped to contribute. And, there is a burgeoning "tribe" of black media professionals who are determined to increase the numbers of minority participants at ONA's 2011 conference, where I'll represent UNITY: Journalists Of Color as well as Knowledgewebb.
As I assess my participation I've come away with one important realization: once you have been asked to do something or have taken advantage of an opportunity, it's good to make sure you can directly capitalize on that experience. We are all looking for ways to build our personal brands. For me as a career coach, teacher, journalist and mentor, it's great to have an organized time and place to express your ideas. Whether it's networking, or taking lessons from the conference room to the newsroom, move forward and evaluate how you've grown and what you've gotten out of it.
And once there, say/give thanks.
*Chantal de la Rionda edits this blog
