Getting the Most Out of Your First Cognos Forum Experience

First Timer Tips

Before the Event

Upon Arrival at Event Venue

During Forum

Performance World

Networking and Social Events

After the Conference

Valuing Your Conference Experience

Download pdf of First Timer Tips

Before the Event:

Book your hotel room early in order to get the conference rate.
Set specific objectives for the conference, including sessions you want to attend and people you’d like to meet.
Schedule your sessions early to guarantee your seat.
Print off handouts for the sessions you have registered for.
Use Cognos Forum Connect (available in April) to start discussions about topics that interest you, or to network with other conference attendees.
Make appointments in advance with the Cognos partners you would like to see.
Bring plenty of business cards! They’re essential for networking.

Upon Arrival at Event Venue:

Familiarize yourself with all of the conference locations (conference centre, hotels, special events locations, even restrooms). The conference guide will contain floor plans.
Register onsite in the Lando Ballroom on the 4th level of the hotel Convention Center. Self-service computers are available at the following times:

Monday, May 12 7:30 am - 9:00 pm

Tuesday, May 13 7:00 am - 6:30 pm

Wednesday, May 14 7:00 am - 6:30 pm

Thursday, May 15 7:00 am - 1:30 pm
The conference Information Desk is also located in the Lando Ballroom on the 4th level. A second Information Desk is available in Performance World.

During Forum:

Wear your name tag high so people can see it. Take it off when you leave the venues.
Always try to attend the opening general session of the day. This gives you something in common to discuss with the new people you meet throughout the day.
To get a good seat at the sessions, arrive a little early.
Please be sure to turn off your cell phone or set it to vibrate.
If a session isn’t meeting your needs, it’s okay to leave quietly. You can look for an alternate session using Cognos Central onsite or spend the extra time in Performance World.
Please fill out all the session evaluation forms. Your comments are invaluable to future event planning—and you can win one of five $100 prizes awarded each day.

How can a first-time attendee get the most from Cognos Forum? (48 seconds)
“Sign up for as many classes as you can. Learn from existing customers how they’ve used Cognos, and learn how to apply that to your organization…”
- Davis Shepherd, Manager of Financial Systems, Quiznos

Performance World:

If you have not scheduled time in one of the labs, please feel free to stop in and see if there have been any cancellations. We’ll do our best to fit you in.
Write notes on the business cards you pick up to remind you of what you learned or what you’d like to follow up on later.

The top three questions to ask an exhibitor:

What do you have that's new?
Can you demo something interesting for me or tell me about your new/enhanced/improved products?
Are you making any announcements at Cognos Forum this year?

Prepare a short “elevator speech” about yourself and your employer. Remember that others want to meet you as much as you want to meet them.
Ask as many questions as you like. People in the booths are there to talk, and if one person doesn’t know the answer, they will find someone who does and get back to you later.
Help yourself to the marketing materials in the booths – that’s what they’re there for!

Networking and Social Events:

Take the opportunity during breakfast or lunch to sit with new people and learn about them. During the receptions on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, food will also be provided- enough for a dinner, but you may want to pace yourself and leave room for dinner at one of the many fabulous restaurants that Las Vegas has to offer.
Don’t worry about being first in line for your show tickets! Tickets will be handed out in random order, so your chance of getting a great seat is as good at the end of the day as it is at the beginning. You can also arrange to sit with friends and co-workers. Read more details about the Social Events.
Try these simple "ice breaker" questions. They will often induce even the most reticent person to open up.

"Hi – I’m (your name) and I’m from (your city or company). Where are you from?”
"See anything new at the conference?”
"Attend any great sessions?”

Learn the art of the nametag glance to see what networking opportunities you might find.
As you wait for individual sessions to begin, take advantage of the opportunity to introduce yourself to those sitting nearby.
In general, assume anyone who's wearing an event staff uniform is extra-approachable. Their responsibility is to make the Cognos Forum a success.
Remember! ALL of the people you meet were once in your shoes, and were new to Cognos Forum. Don't be afraid to ask people to join you for dinner or to set up dinner groups.

After the Conference:

Please fill out the Conference evaluation form. Your comments are invaluable to future event planning.
Share the information you’ll find on our updated post-Forum website. We have prepared “the Best of Cognos Forum” for you to share with your co-workers.
Write a report or memo to your boss or team and explain the value you’ve gained from event. Start laying the groundwork for attending the next conference.

Valuing Your Conference Experience:

Set a few simple goals to help you get the most from your Cognos Forum experience:

Meet one new person every day.
Learn one useful thing you didn't know in a session every day.
Have one substantive discussion with a vendor about a new product that you might need.
Have fun, every day.