Networking Tips for Educators Attending NCCE 25
As we prepare to greet all the conference attendees at NCCE 25 at the Seattle Convention Center in February, we encourage everyone to think about how they can make the most of this conference. Of course, we are offering a stellar line-up of speakers and sessions and an impressive array of vendors, and those aspects alone will make the trip well worth it. However, one of our favorite things is the opportunity for attendees to connect with fellow education professionals and reunite with friends.
This premier EdTech event, hosted by the Northwest Council for Computer Education (NCCE), is a fantastic place to forge connections, exchange ideas, and foster collaborations that can enhance educational practices. NCCE 25 presents an invaluable opportunity for all of us to expand our network of peers and meet new thought leaders and EdTech innovators. Here are some strategic tips to help you make meaningful and effective connections during NCCE 25.
1. Prepare Your Networking Goals
Before the conference begins, outline your networking objectives. Whether you seek insights into new EdTech tools, ideas for innovative classroom practices, or connections with potential collaborators, defining your goals will give you a focused approach. Having clear intentions helps you prioritize which sessions, workshops, or networking events to attend, and you’ll be better prepared to ask specific questions or engage in discussions relevant to your interests.
Actionable Tips:
- Write down two to three specific goals for the conference. Find at least one new learning nugget at each session attended.
- Use the Searchable Program on the NCCE 25 conference website, and list out sessions or workshops that align with these goals.
- Make a session list with a few options. If you visit a session that is not what you anticipated, you will have another option to quickly move to.
2. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
Not all networking opportunities are planned, so connect with others by planning to:
- Attend one of the Summits for a longer event to make more meaningful connections
- Chat with others in common areas such as on the sidewalk on the way to the conference, hallways, charging stations, lunch areas, or hotel lobbies
- Attend an Affinity session on Thursday or Friday morning to network with like-minded people with common teaching specialities or identities
- Share transportation with someone back and forth to the airport or convention center
- Attend the After Hours Social in the vendor hall on Thursday at 4 pm and enjoy beverages, entertainment, and lots of giveaways while making new friends
3. Start Conversations with Genuine Curiosity
One of the best things about getting out of your school is the chance to meet fellow educators so make sure to listen actively and ask open-ended questions. Rather than immediately talking about your own work, start by asking them about their projects, the challenges they face, or what they hope to learn at the conference.
Example Questions:
- “What session has been the most impactful for you so far?”
- “How are you implementing technology in your school district?”
- “What’s one challenge you hope to solve in your teaching or tech role?”
This approach shows respect, interest, and opens the door to more meaningful conversations that can lead to valuable insights and connections. Set a goal to get out of your comfort zone and make a professional connection through email or on social media.
4. Leverage Social Media
Social media is extremely useful for making and maintaining connections before, during, and after NCCE 25. Use Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, or other popular sites to connect with everyone. Follow the official conference hashtag (#NCCE25), and engage with posts to participate in more extensive discussions.
Social Media Tips:
- Share valuable insights you’ve gained, and comment, like, and share others’ posts to support others
- Connect with speakers or attendees on LinkedIn with a personalized message. mentioning the conference
- Join EdTech groups or follow the accounts of notable EdTech leaders to stay informed about future networking opportunities and resources
These digital connections provide ongoing support and collaboration after the event and deliver valuable resources directly to you.
5. Find Community with Affinity Sessions and Networking Events
NCCE 25 will offer sessions, workshops, and social periods tailored to connecting with like-minded individuals. These events provide unique opportunities to engage in specialized conversations and meet professionals with shared interests or backgrounds.
Here are ways to make the most of networking events:
- Attend affinity sessions that align with your teaching specialty, technology interests, and identity
- Be ready to introduce yourself with a concise “elevator pitch” about who you are, what you do, and what you hope to learn
- Have business cards or digital contact cards handy to exchange with new contacts
By actively participating in these focused sessions, you’ll be surrounded by people with similar goals and backgrounds, which naturally makes for more accessible and productive networking.
6. Attend Vendor and Exhibitor Sessions with a Learning Mindset
NCCE 25 will feature exhibitors showcasing the latest in EdTech products and solutions. Use your time in the vendor hall to learn about new tools that could benefit your classroom or school. Approach vendors with an open mind and a learner’s mindset. Ask questions about how their products have been used successfully in similar educational settings.
Tips for interacting with vendors:
- Ask about specific classroom applications and success stories
- Inquire if they offer pilot programs, free trials, or educator discounts
- Gather contact information if you’re interested in further discussions or potential demos
- Enter the raffle drawings to win great prizes!
Meeting with exhibitors can be a great way to discover valuable tools and resources that might not be on your radar while also making industry connections.
7. Follow Up and Keep the Connection Alive
Effective networking doesn’t end when the conference does. Following up with new contacts is critical to building lasting relationships. Within a few days of the event, send a brief email or LinkedIn message to those you connected with, referencing something you discussed to make it personal and memorable.
Best practices for follow-up:
- Send a thank-you email or message mentioning a key point from your conversation
- Share an article or resource that might be useful based on their interests
- Schedule a virtual coffee chat or follow-up call to continue the conversation if they are open to the idea
This follow-up strengthens your connection and keeps you top-of-mind for potential collaboration opportunities in the future.
8. Reflect and Debrief
Reflect: Reflecting involves thinking deeply about your experiences during the conference. Consolidate knowledge gained, identify areas for personal growth, and determine how to apply insights and lessons learned in practical settings. It encourages self-awareness and can help in setting future goals.
Debrief: Find your network and structure conversations or meetings following the conference. Focus on reviewing the experience collectively, discussing key takeaways, and sharing insights or thoughts about the sessions and networking opportunities. This allows for shared perspectives, clarifying information, and gathering different viewpoints on what was learned. It often leads to collaborative brainstorming on how to implement ideas within the organization and may highlight areas that require further exploration or action.
Steps for Effective Reflection and Debriefing
- Take Notes and Snap Photos: During the conference, jot down important points, ideas, and questions. Also, take quick snapshots of ideas when moving throughout places like the vendor hall. If you are with a group, be sure to use a collaborative tool like OneNote to gather notes for the whole group.
- Refer back to the presenter resources: Visit NCCE.org/conference to access the handouts and resources shared by each presenter. You’ll find these in the Searchable Program for each session and workshop.
- Schedule Time: Set aside time immediately after the conference for personal reflection and a team debrief session. You may even want to schedule a meeting for conference share-outs before the conference and put it on your calendar and your group’s calendar to be sure you devote time to share-out.
- Guided Questions: Use questions to guide discussions during reflection and debriefing, such as:
- What were the most valuable sessions or discussions?
- What surprised you?
- How can you implement what you learned?
- Action Plan: Create a plan for applying insights and experiences gained to improve your work when you return. It is also helpful and promotes accountability to share with someone at the conference or even a colleague back at school an idea you are excited to share when you get home that you just learned about. This way you are more likely to follow up on it!
By engaging in both reflection and debriefing, you can maximize the value of your conference experience and foster ongoing growth and development.
Networking at NCCE 25 is about much more than simply exchanging business cards. With clear goals, genuine engagement, and strategic follow-ups, educators can build a strong network of colleagues and industry experts to support and inspire their work long after the conference. Take advantage of this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow. Your next big idea, collaboration, or classroom innovation could be just one conversation away.
It’s not too soon to firm up your plans and make the most of NCCE 25. If you haven’t yet registered, do so today. See you in Seattle!