Attending Bett, the world’s largest education technology exhibition, can be an overwhelming but incredibly rewarding experience. With over 800 exhibitors and thousands of attendees from over 100 countries, Bett spans over 9 halls and offers a dizzying array of products, services, and professional development opportunities. Here is your guide on how to make the most of Bett 2017.
Table of Contents
Before You Go
Proper planning prevents poor performance! Do your homework before arriving at ExCeL London.
Set Your Goals
What do you hope to accomplish at Bett? Setting 1-3 clear goals will help streamline your experience. Common goals include:
- Discovering new edtech tools
- Comparing products/services
- Attending CPD sessions
- Networking
Make a Plan
With so many options, planning is essential.
- Map out must-see exhibitors and use the floor plan to cluster them together
- Review the seminar schedule and bookmark sessions to attend
- Connect with your network and schedule meetings
- Download the Bett mobile app to manage your schedule
Dress Comfortably
With several halls and over 13 hours of exhibition time, wear comfortable shoes!
At the Show
Once at Bett, stay focused, engaged, and open-minded.
Have a System
Establish a system to organize notes, brochures, and business cards collected. Apps like Evernote or OneNote can help with this.
Take Breaks
It’s mentally draining to be “on” all day. Take regular breaks to recharge. Eat, hydrate, go outside for some fresh air. Come back renewed!
Embrace Serendipity
Wander and explore. Discover new things by chance – these can end up being the best parts of Bett!
Connect with People
Attend sessions, ask exhibitors questions, and network with your peers. The people are what make Bett special.
After You Leave
The learning doesn’t end when you depart Excel.
Organize Your Materials
Go through everything collected once home and organize it logically. This makes recalling and sharing information easier.
Follow Up
Connect with your new contacts. Share resources discussed. Offer feedback to exhibitors. Continue conversations started at Bett.
Reflect on Your Goals
Did you accomplish what you set out to do? Review your goals and reflect on how Bett supported your professional learning.
Take your learning back to your workplace. Present at a staff meeting, offer lunch-and-learns, or publish a blog post recapping your key takeaways from Bett.
Attending an enormous, dynamic event like Bett can feel chaotic, but with the right mindset and preparation it yields huge professional development benefits all year long. Use this advice to stay focused and get the most from your time at Bett 2017!
