Baltimore, nicknamed ‘Charm City’ in the 70s, is a city I’ve visited many times, and even plays a minor role in my relocation to America. So you can guess that I’m obviously thrilled to return in a few weeks for the 2025 SHAPE America National Convention and Expo. Running from April 1st to 5th, it’s the nation’s premier event for health and physical education professionals. With the conference schedule now released, attendees are already seeking advice on social media regarding making the most of their time at this prestigious event. This will be my seventh convention, so I suppose that makes me a veteran presenter and qualified to share advice in this annual blog post. Here are some strategies that have helped me maximize my experience at a national conference. Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned conference-goer, there’s something here for everyone.
Plan Ahead
Conference preparation began the moment the last attendee left #SHAPECleveland. With over a year to reflect, plan, and organize an event of this scale, there’s no wonder that the schedule is once again packed with incredible presenters and exhibitors. Expect session conflicts—at #SHAPEBaltimore, the 10:45 session on Friday features SIX health sessions I would happily attend. Six!
Review the conference schedule (and keep an eye out for the app) to prioritize the sessions, workshops, and events that interest you most. The Teacher of the Year sessions offer a rare chance to learn from some of the best in our field, and the keynotes are always a highlight, bringing attendees together for a shared experience. You can search the schedule for the names of presenters you want to see, or search for specific keywords like “meaningful”, “assessment” or “skills-based”.
Plan out each day, but don’t forget to schedule breaks and self-care—you’ll need them!
Network
Conferences offer a great opportunity to meet new people and connect with others. At my first national convention I remember seeing people who I recognized from social media and was too intimidated to introduce myself to them. DON’T BE LIKE ME. Introduce yourself and meet as many people as you can. Trade contact details, whether that be social media handles, email addresses or business cards. This can help you build valuable relationships and expand your professional learning network. #SHAPEBaltimore has a series of Coffee Talks, which are a great way to meet like minded educators in a less formal setting.
Spontaneous meetups, hallway conversations, and social gatherings happen organically when you’re staying close to the action, which in my case means the Hilton Baltimore. Many people will say that the best networking comes from impromptu meetings – standing in line at the coffee shop, waiting for an elevator, sharing an Uber…or a late night Paddlezlam session (if you were there, you know what I’m talking about).
Be Prepared
Bring a notebook or use a note-taking app to record important information from the sessions you attend. I recently replaced my Moleskine notebook with a notebook that I designed myself(!). Taking notes will help you remember key points and takeaways, and can serve as a valuable reference after the conference. I’ve also seen attendees create shared google docs and crowd-source their notes. This divide-and-conquer method is awesome but needs someone to volunteer to set it up. Could that person be you?
After years of traveling the country presenting at conferences, dragging dongles and devices around with me, I’ve managed to streamline my tech pack. I love my iPad but always travel with my Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet (currently 35% off) because I can download movies, load up my kindle with the latest Book of the Month, and this device is more rugged than my Apple devices. My dongles and charging cables all travel with me in this portable electronics travel case including this awesome 3 in 1 Magnetic Foldable Wireless Charger (50% coupon deal!) that charges my iWatch, iPhone and airpods. Heaven forbid my devices should run out of power, I travel with the older version of this Anker portable charger.
Have Fun
When I’m at a conference, I’M AT A CONFERENCE, and can be guilty of not getting away from the event. However, conferences are not just about learning and networking – they can, and should be a lot of fun. Attend social events, explore the host city, and enjoy the experience. If you arrive early for #SHAPEBaltimore you might be able to catch some baseball. The Oriole’s will celebrate their Home Opener on Monday, March 31, against the Boston Red Sox. There will be a crowd of HPE teachers attending the game on April 2nd, courtesy of a ticket deal from SHAPE Maryland. SHAPE America have also secured ticket deals for local Baltimore attractions, including the National Aquarium, a sightseeing cruise, and the B&O Railroad Museum. Top of my list of places to visit include Vinyl and Pages (coffee and vinyl records) and the American Visionary Art Museum. I plan on eating crabs (Baltimore is crab-centric), and reacquaint myself with my own personal bottle of Grand Marnier at One-Eyed Mikes.
Self Care
You’ve waited this long to finally attend such an awesome event so remember, taking care of yourself is an essential part of attending a conference. By prioritizing self-care, you’ll be better equipped to learn, grow, and enjoy the experience.
Get enough sleep: Try to get a good night’s sleep each night and take breaks during the day to rest and recharge. If possible, try to maintain your regular sleep schedule to avoid feeling jet-lagged or exhausted. I’ll probably pack this sleep mask, and will lean on the soundscapes on the Calm app to help me fall asleep.
Stay hydrated: I’m guilty of NOT following this advice. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and prevent fatigue. Bring a refillable water bottle with you to the conference and refill it frequently. I also plan on packing hydration and vitamin tablets to help me with the candle-burning-at-both-ends.
Eat well: Another piece of advice that I should heed! Do some research in advance to find local food venues a few blocks away from the conference venue. Make an effort to eat the foods that give you sustained energy throughout the day, although I have to admit that I do like to treat myself to a local burger and a brew whenever visiting a new town.
Take breaks: I’ll work hard and play hard while I’m attending a conference, but I also rest hard too. Naps are my superpower and I’m happy that I’ll be staying at the hotel that is also the conference HQ. Staying ‘on-site’ means that not only am I an elevator ride away from sessions, keynotes, and networking events, but I’m also a short walk back to my room to rest and recharge. Give yourself permission to take breaks and step away from the conference activities when you need to.
If you are reading this blog post in advance of visiting #SHAPEBaltimore please make sure that you vote in the Board of Directors election, details will be sent to members in advance. Each of the candidates are passionate about driving our profession forwards and are ready to serve!
What tips have I missed? Feel free to drop comments below or share them on social media using the hashtag #SHAPEBaltimore. You can also download your attendee and presenter promotional images here.
Other useful links:
Black Owned Businesses in Baltimore
#slowchathealth 