10. Get the HR Tech conference Application. (Http://ativ.me/3il).
I strongly encourage you to get the application as it has two things that I always find to be helpful! The first is to search out who is going to be there from an exhibit perspective - and the second is to build the calendar of what I want to see. The expo is only open two days - so you truly have to manage your time well!
9. Get on Twitter!
If you haven't gotten on twitter yet - then this is the show to do it - as all of the exhibitors are active, and there are a great list of bloggers who are blogging and posting tidbits for the show! So get a twitter account and then search (and save) the #HRTechconf. This will show you everything that is going on in real time. Now if you want it even easier - use the app I mentioned in number 10 and the Now screen will stream that hashtag for you!
8. Why are you going?
Bill Kutik and team put on a wonderful show - and for anyone who loves the HR technology space -
this is the once a year version of Disneyworld. The great exhibitors are there, the HR intelligensia / Celebrities are there, and great speakers! So if you don't watch it, you will run out of time and you will have forgotten to ride Space Mountain (Staying with the disneyland metaphor!).
So please make a list of why you are going! Is there a product space you are researching? Is there a specific subject you want to learn more about?
I always try to limit myself to the top three things - as anything more than that becomes impossible.
7. Connect in Advance with the vendors you want to meet!
What better way to make the best use of your time! Reach out to the suppliers using the App, The HR Tech Conference on Linkedin.com or reach out to them directly. In my experience, this always works extremely well as it lets them plan their time better too! Here is what is really cool - often the product managers are at the show - so if you want to learn about a product - and if you schedule in advance - you may get a chance to not only get a personal demo, but also meet some of the people designing it!
6. Go with the tough questions!
Kind of going along with the above thought, realize that the leadership of most companies will be there. As a result, if you are looking for an ATS that does FInnish, and has an on boarding module that is mobile enabled (Totally making the scenario up) - you will be able to get straight answers. Away from HR Tech - often the answer you may get is - we don't do that but we are working on it…… - At HR tech - you will get folks who can say We are working on it, and finnish will be enabled by February and the on boarding module is next june.
Or if you have a question that there isn't an answer for - I can guarantee there are people there listening and be working to answer those questions for next time.
Or if you have a question that there isn't an answer for - I can guarantee there are people there listening and be working to answer those questions for next time.
5. Configurations - check to see how you are doing!
One of the more interesting issues that that companies that have online configurations are rolling out iterations faster than HR can keep up with them. As a result, the default is that they are rolled out not enabled - and the local system admin is not enabling them. So go see a demo if you are using a Sas system to see if there are new features being shown that you didn't know about ! Consider them free holiday presents that you can turn on for free!
4. Network, network, network
This show seems to be the home of all that is HR and Technology… which when you sit down and think about it - is a relatively small space. How many people are fluent on ERISA, FLSE, Works Councils and Hadoop, Expressive Web technologies and SAML 2.0? As a result, if there are people you want to meet - this is the show to do it at.
I also have found that folks are very welcoming! Last year I had the chance to meet John Boudreau - one of my HR Analytics heroes - and I had just emailed him a request to meet for 5 minutes.
3. Party Tuesday night, don't do it Sunday or Monday…….
Okay, the size, and amazingness of the parties is pretty awesome at this show - as for some companies - this is their major show of the year - so the marketing dollars are spent like crazy. So if you like to stay out late - there are vendor parties every night - and they will be at great Las Vegas happening spaces. For those that have more grey hair (e.g. me) and/or are need their bed rest (again me) - most of the parties start early - so you can go - see what is going on - have a Mocktail and call it a night.
2. Save time to walk the Floor!!
The HR Tech floor is HUGE and is disneyland for anyone close to the HR tech space. So please leave at least 3-4 hours to walk the floor! (Yes there is great giveaways so your badge will be scanned a lot). But what is really cool is seeing some of the emerging technology. Often there is new stuff being shown that may not be right for you yet - but may be part of your application portfolio in 3-5 years.
1. Thank Bill Kutik!
If you happen to see this guy walking around - make sure to thank him! His passion around this industry is pretty amazing, and has helped the industry get that much better.
If you have any other tips, or want to meet up at the conference - feel free to get hold of me!
Twitter: @FranzGilbert
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