After attending many educational conferences across the globe, I’ve learned that the real value rarely comes from sitting in sessions and taking notes. The transformative moments happen in hallway conversations, during impromptu discussions, and when you connect ideas across different presentations in ways the speakers never intended.
With the upcoming ISTE 2025 and CSTA conferences—two of my other favorite conferences—now is the perfect time to share some lessons on making the most of conference participation. Unfortunately, many educators approach conferences passively, hoping something will inspire them. The most successful conference attendees are strategic and intentional about creating their own learning experiences.
Before You Go: Set Learning Goals, Not Session Goals
Most people plan their conference schedule by browsing session titles and picking what sounds interesting. This is exactly backwards. The most valuable conference experiences start with knowing what you want to learn, then finding multiple ways to explore those topics.
Start with Problems, Not Solutions
Before you look at any session, identify 2-3 specific challenges you’re facing at your school. What’s keeping you up at night? Where are you stuck? What would you love to implement but don’t know how to start?
At EduTech Australia, I met a principal who came with one simple goal: looking for the right solutions to start STEM early in her school. Instead of just attending tech sessions, she sought conversations with teachers, vendors, and other administrators.
Create Learning Questions. Transform your challenges into questions you can ask throughout the conference. Instead of “I need to improve student engagement,” try “What specific strategies have you seen work for middle school students who seem disconnected from learning?” Specific questions generate specific, actionable answers.
Plan for Space. Yes, have a schedule, but leave gaps. Some of the best conference learning happens when you have time to follow unexpected conversations, explore vendor booths thoughtfully, or attend a session that wasn’t on your original plan.
Connect Ideas Across Sessions
The most powerful insights come from combining ideas from different presentations. Keep a running list of connections you’re making. How does the assessment strategy from the morning session relate to the engagement technique you learned after lunch? Putting your thoughts and ideas into a tool like ChatGPT or Perplexity AI can help in creating these connections.
The Real Learning Happens in the Hallways
The sessions get you thinking, but the conversations get you acting. The most successful conference attendees are intentional about creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue.
Vendor Halls: More Than Free Swag
The exhibition floor offers more than just products; it’s a platform for understanding trends, comparing methods, and learning from experienced school professionals.
Ask About Implementation, Not Features. Don’t ask “What does your product do?” Ask “What problems have you seen this solve for schools like mine?” “What implementation challenges should I expect?” “Which schools have had the most success with this, and why?”
Learn From Vendor Insights. Sales representatives talk to educators all day, every day. They often have unique perspectives on what’s working across different contexts. Ask them what trends they’re seeing, what questions schools are asking, what obstacles keep coming up.
The Long Game
The best conference attendees play the long game. They see each conference as part of an ongoing professional learning journey, not a standalone event. They build relationships that span years, follow up on ideas across multiple conferences, and contribute to the learning community instead of just consuming from it.
At EduTech Australia and also BETT in London, I reconnect with educators I first met years ago. We’ve maintained professional relationships, collaborated, and continued learning from each other long after individual conferences ended. These relationships have shaped my thinking and work in ways that no single session ever could.
Attending ISTE 2025? I’d be happy to connect with you there. My goal is to engage in meaningful conversations to improve students’ readiness for a future full of uncertainty.
Conferences are what you make of them. With the right approach, they can be transformative experiences that energize your work and expand your professional network. Success hinges not on session quality, but on your strategic approach to using the conference for your benefit.
Jason McKenna is V.P. of Global Educational Strategy for VEX Robotics and author of “What STEM Can Do for Your Classroom: Improving Student Problem Solving, Collaboration, and Engagement, Grade K-6.” His work specializes in curriculum development, global educational strategy, and engaging with educators and policymakers worldwide. For more of his insights, subscribe to his newsletter.
