The Stepping In It Podcast with Renee Schulte & Jason Haglund
The Stepping In It Podcast is a weekly discussion of the latest news and trends in behavioral health policy development and practice. Each episode features interviews with experts from across the field, including policymakers, clinicians, researchers, and advocates. The podcast provides listeners with practical tips and resources for improving the quality and access to behavioral health care.
The Stepping In It Podcast with Renee Schulte & Jason Haglund
141. How to Conference Successfully (Without Wasting Your Time or Energy)
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In this episode, we break down how to actually get value out of conferences—beyond just showing up. From setting intentional goals to making meaningful connections and following up effectively, we share practical strategies to help you maximize your time, energy, and investment. We also explore the scale and impact of conferences across the country and highlight some of the unexpected benefits—from networking socials to local experiences—that make these events worth attending (when done right).
In this episode, you will be able to:
- How to set clear goals before attending a conference so you leave with real outcomes
- Why intentional networking (and actually following up) is the biggest ROI driver
- How to stay present and avoid common conference distractions
- Tips for packing, presenting yourself professionally, and protecting your work
- The importance of maintaining your routine and energy during multi-day events
- How to leverage social media and conference apps to deepen connections
- What the data says about the scale and impact of conferences across the U.S.
- The hidden benefits of conferences—from social events to local experiences and relationship building
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:00 - Introduction & Whiny Farmer Intro
00:02:00 - Why Conferences Matter & Setting Intentions
00:04:30 - Networking with Purpose (and Actually Meaning It)
00:07:15 - Staying Present & Avoiding Common Pitfalls
00:09:45 - Smart Packing, Professional Presence & Protecting Your Work
00:12:30 - Maintaining Routine, Energy & Self-Care During Conferences
00:14:50 - Leveraging Social Media & Conference Apps
00:17:10 - Conference Industry Data & What It Tells Us
00:19:45 - The Unexpected Perks: Socials, Local Experiences & Fun
00:22:30 - Final Tips & Closing Thoughts
Connect with us:
https://ruralpolicypartners.com/
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https://www.facebook.com/facebook.com/ruralpolicypartners
https://www.youtube.com/@ruralpolicypartners
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NTAVtixOeis