How to Survive at International Conferences
Plan your objectives well in advance - either specific or general (remember to be realistic)
Prepare your activities thoroughly - know the programme, read all of the material and build your activities around the sessions
Take an empty suitcase - for materials
Take a telephone - if you have a cell phone, try to get local sim card in advance and publicise your number in before the conference
Volunteer for tasks - it's appreciated if people get involved in reporting, facilitating etc
Make contributions early in session - naming your organisation and FAN so people in the audience know who you are and will recognise you and your organisation at a later date
Introduce yourself to people - bring twice the number of business cards that you plan to
Follow up contacts afterwards - send an email or note saying 'nice to meet you/thanks for the info/lets keep in touch'
Expect to be exhausted
Don't panic - RELAX others feel the same!