First Time Attending

Your First NDiSTEM Conference: Getting Started

Welcome to your first NDiSTEM Conference! Attending a large professional conference for the first time can be intimidating, so we’re here with some tips to help you navigate the event.

Dress Code

The attire for the conference is business casual. This includes traditional dress, regalia, jewelry, and other items to share your culture with our community! Please also bring nice, comfortable shoes to walk throughout the convention center, session rooms can get chilly, so dress in layers.

Resume

To maximize your conference experience, bring your updated resume to NDiSTEM and also upload it to the SACNAS Career Center, where recruiters access our portal to look for job candidates for their open positions. We made a best practices guide to help you, click HERE to read it. In case you need a template, we've made one for you. Check out this video on Resume Best Practices.

Download the App

Download the conference app in October by searching “SACNAS” in your app store. The app contains the agenda, maps, attendee resource pages, a list of our exhibitors, and more. If it is necessary to share conference updates or any urgent messages, we will do so through the mobile app.

Food

Conference-provided meals will be as follows for all attendees and exhibitors. All other meals are on your own and concessions will be open at the Convention Center. 

  • Thursday Lunch
  • Friday Lunch 
  • Saturday Lunch 

What to Carry

Business Cards
You'll be meeting lots of new people, so be sure to bring plenty of business cards to hand out. When someone gives you their card, take a moment to jot down a quick note about your conversation, as just a word or two can help jog your memory later. With so many introductions happening throughout the conference, it's easy for names and faces to blur together.

Bag
Conference days are long, from the morning plenary to the evening receptions. Pack a backpack or bag with all your essentials, as there may not be many chances to return to your hotel. You’ll also receive a conference tote bag when you pick up your badge. Consider packing:

  • Portable charger
  • Gum/mints
  • Snacks
  • Reusable water bottle (refillable water stations are available at the convention center

Grab a First-time Attendee Ribbon
Feel free to take a ribbon for your lanyard at registration so other attendees will know you are a first-timer. The SACNAS community is eager to meet you!

Choosing Which Sessions to Attend

With a plethora of sessions, NDiSTEM will offer many more sessions than you can attend. You’ll also want to make sure you have time to check out other conference activities, meet fellow attendees, and enjoy Columbus! Remember: This is your time, so spend it the the way you want to. Read through the sessions in the week leading up to the conference to see if any of them sound interesting or will be given by a mentor. Add these sessions to your favorites within the app to easily keep track of everything you want to attend! It’s a good idea to go to a session when:

  • Your friend, colleague, or professor is presenting.
  • The session is about your field.
  • You are facing a particular challenge or are interested in a new-to-you topic and there is a session that addresses it.
Attending a Session
Only interested in the first speaker? Plan ahead and sit toward the back of the room. Feel free to duck out of sessions early. If you do, please be as quick and quiet as you can, and try to minimize how much you are blocking other attendees’ views of the presentations. If you do plan to attend the entire session, move toward the front and the middle, as people tend to cluster toward the back of the room.

If a session has a question-and-answer portion, keep your question short. Do not preface your question with a long comment, as this cuts down on the amount of time others have to ask questions. If you are comfortable, you may want to briefly identify yourself and your institutional affiliation. There will not be a microphone, so be prepared to speak up and project your question to the entire room.

Networking Tips

Attending NDiSTEM is more than just sessions and keynotes—it’s a great opportunity to build connections. Networking is all about building relationships—one introduction at a time. Here’s how to make the most of it:

Plan Ahead

Before the conference, talk to your professors, colleagues, and friends to see who’s attending. Connecting with familiar faces can help you meet new people through introductions.

Make Introductions
If you find yourself in a group where some people don’t know each other, take a moment to introduce them. Even a simple mention of their name and institution can spark meaningful conversations.

Start Conversations
Small talk can lead to big opportunities! While waiting for a session to start or grabbing coffee, try asking:

  • “How are you enjoying the conference?”
  • “What session did you just come from?”

These quick chats can lead to longer discussions—or even lasting professional relationships.

Engage in Alternative Ways
If approaching strangers feels intimidating, try:

  • Asking a question at the end of a session
  • Using the conference hashtag (#NDiSTEM2025) on social media

These strategies help you get noticed and connect with like-minded attendees.

Follow Up
After the conference, look up the people you met on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky. Connecting within a few days increases the chances they’ll remember you.

Be Realistic
You won’t meet everyone, and that’s okay! Some attendees stick with long-time colleagues, but if someone’s ideas interest you, don’t hesitate to introduce yourself and start a conversation.

The NDiSTEM Conference includes several built-in networking opportunities, such as receptions and the Conversations with Scientists lunch.