How to Get the Most Out of a Homeschool Convention Part 6

AT THE CONVENTION
It can be a challenge to decide what to do first. Many people go with the best of intentions but once they get there, they find too many choices and end up leaving without accomplishing everything that they wanted. Hopefully these tips will give you an idea of how to make your homeschool convention experience a great one!

● When you arrive at the convention, you will receive a program and a bag of literature. The program will contain speaker bios, a list of vendors, a map of the convention hall, and a daily schedule. Look up the workshops you’re interested in to verify their time and place, and see if there are any last-minute changes. On the floor plan, note the location of restrooms, concession stands, bag drops and other conveniences, as well as the booths of vendors or speakers you definitely want to visit. Check the goody bag as well for any vendor coupons that you might be able to use.

● Follow your plan while budgeting your time. Take breaks to catch your breath, rest your feet, assess your progress, and write down things to remember. Try not to pack your schedule so tight that you can’t allow a moment to take advantage of an unexpected opportunity, such as meeting an old friend or viewing a demonstration of an exciting new product.

● If you start feeling stressed, try to find a quiet spot off to the side (perhaps in one of the empty meeting rooms) where you can sit down for a while, or step outside for a breath of fresh air.

● The convention organizers often include a survey form in the program. They need input from attendees to help them in planning future conventions. Please take a few moments to fill it out and drop it off before you go home.
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CONVENTION ETIQUETTE
Please observe these simple guidelines to show consideration for everyone at the convention:

● Follow the rules regarding children, strollers, cell phones, food and beverage in the exhibit hall, etc. (Food and drink is generally not allowed but bottled water is usually okay.)

● Feel free to leave one workshop and catch the tail end of another. But if you think you might not stay for an entire session, sit near an exit so you can leave without distracting anyone.

● If you are attending a workshop or seminar with a baby, sit in the back or off to the side near an exit. The sessions are being recorded and you don’t want to disturb anyone, so promptly remove your crying baby or disruptive child from the room.

● If you enjoyed a lecture, be sure to thank the speaker when their session is done. Whether or not they are being paid for their work, they put in a lot of time and effort to share it with you, and will be glad to know that it was appreciated.

● Support the exhibitors from whom you've gathered valuable information. It is in poor taste to visit a vendor, take up a large amount of time at his table, and then go buy his book at another booth or order it later from a discount supplier. Even though the book may be a little bit cheaper elsewhere, you have essentially cheated the vendor who helped you by telling him that his time is worth nothing. Many exhibitors are home-based businesses trying to earn a living to support their families while serving their fellow homeschoolers. It’s these vendors that make the convention possible by paying the majority of the facility cost through their exhibitor fees, so please treat them with respect.
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SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS

Lectures and workshops present opportunities to glean from the wealth of information presented by home education experts. Don’t underestimate the value of attending these sessions.

● Try to obtain a list of workshops ahead of time, either on the organizer’s website or you will probably get one in the mail if you pre-register. Mark down which ones you definitely want to attend and other ones that might be nice to see. Use this as a reference for prioritizing your time at the convention.

● If two sessions of interest to you are scheduled simultaneously, arrange with your spouse or a friend to attend the other, then you can exchange notes and ideas afterwards. Or if you have to choose between two seminars you really want to hear, attend the one that uses more visuals/demonstrations and buy the recording for the one that’s more of a lecture.

● Remember to turn off your cell phone as soon as you enter a session.

● Sometimes speakers offer handouts to help you understand the information they’re sharing. Be sure to jot down some notes, too. Don't assume that you will be able to remember every word of advice that you hear. If you attend a workshop or lecture that gives you lots of good information, go ahead and invest a few dollars to purchase the recording.

● Homeschool speakers and workshop leaders have first-hand experience with many of the same things that we are going through. Therefore, they are someone we can really relate to as their talks are down-to-earth and often quite funny but extremely helpful.

● Don't take any one teaching method as the “only way.” Not all homeschooling techniques are for everyone, so it’s okay if you don’t agree with a speaker. Glean the information that fits your style and the needs of your family.

● Don't be afraid to ask questions at the end of the session, or whenever the speaker invites questions during the session. Chances are, you won’t be the only one who has that question.

● Check to see if recordings are offered for sessions that you can't attend due to schedule conflicts. Virtually all workshops (except vendor workshops) are recorded. This way, even if you decide to spend all of your time in the exhibit hall, you won’t have to miss out on any of the encouraging and informative workshops. You may listen to them at your convenience later. (CHEO convention recordings are provided by www.resoundingvoice.com.)

● In addition to the main curriculum of interest to you, be sure to take a look at all of the other fine exhibitors.

● Don’t forget to visit nonprofit and other organizations’ booths (such as your state organization, local support groups, Home School Legal Defense Association, etc.) to find out what services they offer.

● When appropriate, give a vendor feedback about your needs, opinions, and experiences. Customer input can help them produce products and services that better meet the needs of homeschoolers.

● Before you go home, double check your list and your bag to make sure you purchased everything you wanted to get, saw everything you went there to see, and have everything that is yours. Did you leave any packages at the bag check? Don’t forget to pick them up!
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MAKING CONNECTIONS
Job seekers and business people call it networking. Church goers call it fellowshipping. In any case, it means meeting people and making their acquaintance.

● Smile and be friendly. Talk to other attendees. Greet old friends and make new ones. Sit with someone you don’t know at lunch. Examples of questions to break the ice include: Where are you from? How long have you been homeschooling? What are the ages of your children?

● Ask others for their opinions and experiences regarding curriculum and products. You may get valuable information from another homeschool mom who is flattered that you would ask her for advice.

● Volunteer to assist a speaker or exhibitor. Be a mentor mom to a new homeschooler. Ask to help a mom who’s struggling to hold a baby while carrying a large bag. If you don’t mind standing, offer your chair to someone else if there is not enough seating.

● Bring along some personal cards or business cards and hand them out to anyone with whom you would like to maintain contact.
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SHOP WISELY TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY
In addition to the time- and money-saving tips that are listed under “Registration,” there are even more strategies that you can use for saving time and money.

● Though there are costs associated with attending a convention, there are savings as well. You will have the ability to compare products and prices. It is a great time to get free shipping. In addition, some vendors offer special discounts at conventions.

● Write down what you already have, make a list of what you need, and stick to your list. It is less easy to be persuaded to spend money you don't need to spend if you have your list in front of you. In addition, you won’t make the mistake of buying a duplicate of something that you forgot is on the shelf at home!

● Look at catalogs and websites to plan exactly which materials you would like to examine and consider. The more you know beforehand, the more you will profit from the opportunity of hands-on comparison shopping.

● Take a quick sweep around the exhibit hall first, quickly checking out the booths to see who is selling what and to compare prices before you buy anything. While you're at it, pick up free catalogs to add to (or begin) your homeschool catalog collection.

● Don’t feel pressured to buy at a convention just because you will receive a super deal. Choosing the right homeschool curriculum for your family is a very big decision that takes time and research. You don’t want to waste money on a curriculum that doesn’t work for you, then have the headache of finding another one. At the convention, you can get recommendations and advice that may help you avoid costly mistakes.

● If you have trouble deciding on something, seek your spouse’s input or a friend’s advice, and pray about it as well.

● Figure out how much money you can afford to spend on convention purchases and stay within your budget. If you do find something else such as a nifty new product that you think you will really use, you can pick up a catalog and order from them later.

● If you know what curriculum you will need for next year, purchase it here. You can avoid shipping costs as well as take advantage of special convention discounts offered by some companies.

● Even if you don’t buy something right now, the ability to compare products side by side can save you money down the road. Use this opportunity to evaluate how well a product will meet the needs of your family. After all, the most cost-effective product is the one that works for you!

● It’s easy to overspend on things you don't really need and might not use. Before making a new purchase, give yourself some time to think about it first. Keep browsing, then go back and look again at what caught your eye.

● If you are attending the convention on both days, gather information on the first day, and then think and pray overnight about the purchases you are contemplating before making the actual purchases on the second day.

● If you’re really not sure what curriculum you want to purchase, don’t feel that you have to buy it now. You can always purchase your main curriculum later. Pick up some odds and ends that will make learning fun.

● Don’t feel that you have to purchase anything at all. A convention is well worth going to even if all you do is attend workshops and listen to the speakers. Just don’t enter the exhibit hall if you think you will be tempted to buy too much stuff.

● If you have trouble avoiding impulse buying and overspending, take a small amount of cash and leave your checkbook and credit cards at home.

● You might want to keep your money in a business size envelope on which you’ve written your shopping list. You can keep a running total of what you spend on the other side. You can place all your receipts in the envelope, too.

● Food at the convention center is high-priced, lunch lines are long, and nearby restaurants are generally crowded. If there is a park nearby, bring a cooler and a picnic lunch, but leave it in your car. When it’s time for lunch, walk to the park where you can relax for a while and get some fresh air. Or go out to your car and get a drink and a snack. A quiet break from the commotion of the convention will help to clear your head.

● Don’t feel pressured to make any quick decisions. You will have gathered a bag full of information and will be able to order virtually anything you see in the convention at a later date, once you’ve had time to carefully decide if it’s something that you really want.

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2009 by Teri Ann Berg Olsen reprinted with permission
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Teri Ann Berg Olsen is the author of a book, “Learning for Life: Educational Words of Wisdom,” and an e-book, “How to Write a Homeschool Mission Statement.” Teri has been attending the annual Arizona Families for Home Education convention each year since 1995. She had her own exhibit booth at two educational conferences and also organized a small local book sale. This has given her a unique opportunity to view these events from differing perspectives. Visit Teri’s website at www.KnowledgeHouse.info for homeschool information, links, and resources.