Easy Tips to Help Make your Networking Efforts Worthwhile during Conference Season.

Blog Contribution by NIHD President Kristina Krail, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, PMP, EDAC

This is quite a busy time for NIHD and our members. Planning and related activities ramp up to our attendance and participation in numerous industry related conferences that happen across the country in the Fall. Most notably is the 2024 Healthcare Design Conference + Expo this year to be held October 5-8 in Indianapolis.  NIHD has long been the clinical perspectives program track sponsor which supports our mission to integrate clinical expertise into the planning and design of built healthcare environments. As such, we are responsible for curating, facilitating nursing continuing professional development approval, and introducing those sessions. Additionally, we design and deliver our ever-popular Saturday morning workshop, this year entitled: Setting the Foundation: Operational Planning Essentials for Launching a Hospital, Ambulatory Service or New Department. NIHD’s contribution to HCD is an important part of their claim of “providing the latest research, trends, and strategies in the healthcare design industry.” 

But there are other benefits to attending conferences that are in addition to gaining new and valuable information and knowledge. HCD touts their networking events and opportunities as a top reason to attend as well. We believe that NIHD is not only a network unto itself, but also a channel collectively and individually to network with others. At HCD we hard-wire those opportunities through our member dinner, NIHD Reception, and booth at the exhibit hall. I think we all know the numerous benefits of networking but what are some easy tips to help make your networking efforts worthwhile?

My first tip is to define what you want to achieve through networking; whether it is finding a new job, building connections, or gaining knowledge. Once you have a purpose in mind, simply seek-out networking opportunities and attend! Make an effort to go to the events offered and accept invitations to meet up. Other tips include:

Be Professional – take note of your communication style, appearance, and behavior

Listen Actively – pay attention to others during conversations and show a genuine interest in what they have to say

Follow Up – after meeting someone be sure to follow up with a text, email, or invitation to connect

Offer Value – look for ways to help others without expecting immediate returns

Maintain Relationships– stay in touch with your contacts and nurture your relationship

Be Positive – convey an optimistic mindset; networking is not the time to display negativity or pessimism

These ideas are not solely my own, I adapted them from work completed by Health Leaders of NY, another professional membership organization I am involved with. I serve on their membership committee and we came to find out through survey results that although a big effort was made to host networking events, many HLNY members, especially early careerists, were actually uncomfortable attending and did not know how to go about meeting people. In response these suggestions were created.

So whether you are going to HCD, or some other conference or event this season, please use these tips to your advantage and you’ll see your networking objectives come true!   

NIHD collaborates with clinicians, design professionals and industry partners in the healthcare design process to shape the future of healthcare design.