How to get the most out of Knowledge18?

[Dubz]

Hi All,

Knowledge18 will be my first Knowledge conference, or indeed any sort of conference like this. I've been running through the agenda items on the MyEvent section of the Knowledge website and registering for a few bits and pieces but i don't know how to get the most out of this event.

If there are any Knowledge veterans out there with wisdom to impart it would be great if you could share some guidance on what to expect, how the event is formatted and how best to squeeze out the maximum possible value?!

Cheers

Dave

[Nia McCash · Accepted solution]

2017 was my first year to Knowledge and this is what I learned...

• Subscribe yourself to the Knowledge Community place/space in the community forums.
  
  I found it useful to turn on email notifications for the space so I was emailed of every new post to the board (but, you may also get unnecessary emails from subscribing).  Use whatever method works for you to follow this space, to not miss the important info and helpful tips that are posted (some of which, the ones I personally found useful, I will repeat below).
  
  Last year, my coworker missed the post about us getting a new backpack at the conference, and regretted having brought his backpack from home (just an extra thing to lug around unnecessarily).
  
  
• Follow the @NOWsupport, @NOWCommunity, @Know365 Twitter accounts if you aren’t already following.  They may post good-to-know information about the upcoming conference.
   
• Browse for the #Know18 and related (eg. #knowledge18, #CreatorCon) tags on social media .  The tags may reveal some good-to-know info that aren’t posted elsewhere, like this Twitter post from K17 about CreatorCon swag .
  
  
• Sign up for sessions as soon as you can . Some of them fill up real fast.  If you follow the community forums closely and on social media, you’ll be one of the first to know when session selection is available.  
  
  But, also check back often as new sessions open up or more space in popular sessions are made available.
  
  
• “ Spend about half your time in sessions focused on helping you optimize the modules and processes tha... ”  <-- I found this post has some helpful advice.
  
  
• Walk the Expo hall, often.  At K17, there were arcade games available throughout the Expo hall floor, if you needed to unwind.  One day, there was a mini donuts station churning out fresh, warm, fried-before-your-eyes mini donuts, served dusted with icing sugar! Vendors may have new swag, restocked swag, or new prize giveaways.  You never know what you’ll find.

• Download the app.  It contains lots of useful info, games, and push notifications of various announcements, some of which are useful.
   
• If you’re not happy with your session (whether it’s a breakout, a lab, a workshop, whatever), feel free to leave to find something that is a better use of your time.  The app can help you find other sessions that are running at the same time.
  
  Or, opt to...
• • Walk the Expo hall (see above)
  • Participate in the multitude of other events like collecting your community bling .
  • Participate in the CreatorCon challenges to win prizes.  I was only aware of this through the app and didn’t see any info about it posted elsewhere.
  • Attend the variety of other events.  There will be drop-ins and socials organized by vendors and even by various ServiceNow teams (example: your chance to provide feedback to the HI team ).  These may not be announce until closer to conference dates.
    
    
• Bring something to personalize your Knowledge backpack .  I brought some maple leaf/Canada branded lanyards for my bag at K17 and was pleasantly stopped by fellow attendees and by vendors who were also Canadian.  Your bag decoration may just help you connect with someone at the conference. 
   
• Bring a jacket .  They kept the temperature really cold indoors, arctic cold.  I had a light sweater with me at the keynote and I really, really wished I had a warm jacket.
   
• Wear comfortable shoes .  Lots of post on this in the Community for K17.  Use this as your excuse to go shoe shopping if you want. Regardless, you’ll be doing a lot of walking.  The conference is huge and getting from one session to another may be a bit of a hike.
  
  

TLDR / Basically,

Yes, there are TONS of stuff happening at Knowledge.

No, you can’t possibly do everything.

But, you can still have a great time and get valuable experience at Knowledge.  A bit of preparation can go a long way. Don’t feel bad for missed opportunities.  You’ll want to go back next year, anyways.

[Dubz]

Wow! Thanks so much for this info Niam it sounds like you learned a lot last year!

I've pretty much filled my agenda with stuff to do, i'm not sure if the sessions have been released for a while or if there are a lot of people that are very quick on the draw but a lot of them are full already which is a bit annoying. I'll have to get my registrations done sooner next year!

Tips on shoes and jackets are exactly the sort of insider knowledge i was hoping for! I didn't think i would need hiking boots and thermals for an indoor convention...in the desert! I'll be sure to come prepared.

Thanks again for the tips, much appreciated! I'll keep an eye out for maple leaves around the convention!

[JB23]

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[Jennifer Chapin]

Dave,

We are so glad you are coming!  Looks like you've already received some great input.  See you at Knowledge!

Jennifer