Arrange to attend sessions with another colleague. Maximize your learning by discussing the content of the session with the colleague afterward. Help conference organizers to improve by completing evaluation forms when they are provided. During the day, jot down your impressions and reflections of your conference experiences. Try to avoid taking other work with you to the conference.
Conferences often have banquets, dances, performances, field trips.
Take advantage of these as your schedule permits. On your way home, review the notes that you have jotted, and begin to organize a written reflection. Save receipts for any reimbursable expenses. These typically include airfare, hotel, taxi, local transportation. Use reimbursement forms provided by your agency and organize your receipts so that they are easily processed.