You've gotten the O.K. to attend. What can you do to make the experience a great one?

1. So You’re Going to a Conference!
by Diane Cordell
“Pandora”http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrick_q/235242470/

2. Planning is the key to success.
“Girl Writing” http://www.flickr.com/photos/peagreenchick/367296810/

3. Begin early.
“f-178c” http://www.flickr.com/photos/cosmorochester2/3362219983/

4. Do some research.
“Old Photos of Family and Friends http://www.flickr.com/photos/micahb37/3524594940/

5. Pack carefully
“Vintage photo” http://www.flickr.com/photos/teresa-stanton/2982534944/

6. Be flexible.
“circus05w” http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxtongue/23278357/in/set-460894/

7. Prioritize.
“little girl and illustrated blocks” http://www.flickr.com/photos/freeparking/786143356/

8. Be prepared.
“two” http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxtongue/52506289/in/set-460894/

9. Carry a camera.
“A cat is posed...” http://www.flickr.com/photos/walkadog/3452774704/in/set-72157616546964031/

10. Save where you can.
“Tellers with money” http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecu_digital_collections/3288383057/in/set-72157614025621218/

11. Keep all your receipts.
“Kitchen, Guest CHECKS” http://www.flickr.com/photos/chaparral/1043482991/

12. Take advantage of available
mail services.
“A clerk processing letters and parcels...” http://www.flickr.com/photos/29007475@N08/3273336170/

13. Arrange meet-ups.
“steve memory - the witches photograph” http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxtongue/56510106/in/set-460894/

14. Sign up for optional side trips.
“Girl on beach donkey” http://www.flickr.com/photos/whatsthatpicture/2883583328/in/set-72157594320546999/

15. Write it down.
“Annual Board - 1912 Grinnell High School” http://www.flickr.com/photos/25306332@N05/4225306238/in/pool-1088961@N22/

16. Have fun!
“ethyl-gasoline-1954” http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/3847574766/in/set-72157622126108970/

17. Reflect on your experience.
“I sure am good looking...” http://www.flickr.com/photos/walkadog/3432086929/

18. Share what you’ve learned.
“kodak advertising no 161” http://www.flickr.com/photos/mario_groleau/3149733754/in/set-72157611812283137/
“My 5th grade classroom” http://www.flickr.com/photos/dok1/3992555473/in/set-72157622209385382/

19. Dream a little dream...
“Vintage postcard~Little Girl w/Dog” http://www.flickr.com/photos/chicks57/4295682155/in/set-72157601531333325/

20. Image Sources
Slide 1: http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrick_q/235242470/
Slide 2: http://www.flickr.com/photos/peagreenchick/367296810/
Slide 3: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cosmorochester2/3362219983/
Slide 4: http://www.flickr.com/photos/micahb37/3524594940/
Slide 5: http://www.flickr.com/photos/teresa-stanton/2982534944/
Slide 6: http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxtongue/23278357/in/set-460894/
Slide 7: http://www.flickr.com/photos/freeparking/786143356/
Slide 8: http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxtongue/52506289/in/set-460894/
Slide 9: http://www.flickr.com/photos/walkadog/3452774704/in/set-72157616546964031/
Slide10: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecu_digital_collections/3288383057/in/set-72157614025621218/
Slide11: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chaparral/1043482991/
Slide12: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29007475@N08/3273336170/
Slide13: http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxtongue/56510106/in/set-460894/
Slide14: http://www.flickr.com/photos/whatsthatpicture/2883583328/in/set-72157594320546999/
Slide15: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25306332@N05/4225306238/in/pool-1088961@N22/
Slide16: http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/3847574766/in/set-72157622126108970/
Slide17: http://www.flickr.com/photos/walkadog/3432086929/
Slide18: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mario_groleau/3149733754/in/set-72157611812283137/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dok1/3992555473/in/set-72157622209385382/
Slide19 http://www.flickr.com/photos/chicks57/4295682155/in/set-72157601531333325/

21. On Twitter, Plurk, Flickr: dmcordell
Blogging at Journeys: http://dmcordell.blogspot.com
dmcordell@gmail.com