Grace Hopper Conference 2018: Things to know before you attend GHC this year!

The 2018 Grace Hopper Celebration for women in Technology is just around the corner. 20,000 women attendees from all over the country are getting ready to take over Texas and be a part of this amazing conference. From speakers like Padmasree Warrior the CEO of NIO USA to Priscilla Chan an American doctor and philanthropist, and also the wife of Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg, GHC will be quite an overwhelming experience.

If you are a first-timer, there are some important things to keep in mind for making the most of your time at GHC.

1. Plan, plan, plan

• Pick up your badge one day before the conference. The Wednesday morning lines will be huge. For more details about the badge pickup visit: https://ghc.anitab.org/news/announcements/ghc18-badge-pick-up/

• Plan the time from session to session. The Convention center is massive, plan timings between different sessions, the career fair, and the keynote sessions well.

• Plan your elevator pitch and which companies are you visiting. The lines will be long so get ready to talk and network with so many new people around you.

2. Download the GHC 2018 app

Well if you haven’t done that already, get the app. The app has all the details about the sessions, their location. There are tons of features like a social media feed, a private messaging option, scheduling using Agenda, conference schedule, maps and much more.

3. Pack Smart

Ladies, we want everything when we travel, isn't it? All you need for GHC are comfortable shoes (trust me the venue is HUGE), business casual attire, and a jacket. We won’t be out in the Texas heat, and the inside of conference center can get really chilly. You don’t want to count goosebumps in your arms when you should be really listening to a speaker or networking!

And don’t forget to leave some extra space to bring back home the SWAG!

4. Charge Up

The conference center is big and confusing. With so many things happening at one time the last thing you want is your phone to die. Charge up your phone, carry your charger in your bag all the times, and yes use the charging stations at the conference center whenever you get some time.

5. Caffeinate, Hydrate, and Eat Well

For all the coffee lovers there is sad news, there is only one Starbucks in the entire conference center. That means long lines. Plan to come early and caffeinate before you doze off in an important session or don’t feel yourself if you skip your cup of Joe.

Hydrate, drink water. And drink some more water. You’ll be heading out for late evenings, standing in huge lines, and so staying hydrated throughout the day is important.

Protein Bars and some snacks can save you up from standing in those lines and missing a session or missing on an important person from your dream company. Buy it before and carry it with you in your bag for that quick hunger burst.

6. Be Resume Ready

Hundreds of companies will be there in GHC’s career fair. If you are looking for opportunities make sure to bring a bunch of resumes and hand it over to your dream companies. (Fun Fact: I got my summer internship at Microsoft last year at GHC, so maybe this year you get yours 😊)

7. Step away from the Laptop and Network with a Purpose

Stay light, stay mobile. Carry your laptop only if you have some work or are addicted to taking notes online. Remember you won’t have time to get back and keep your laptop so you will be carrying it to every after party or dinner you attend.

Go out, talk to people about your passions and theirs. Talk about their experiences and what they like about technology. I know “networking” always sounds a little intimidating, so remember that everyone you meet out there shares some common interests with you. All you have to do is break the ice with a simple “Which speakers have you seen so far?” or “What do you think about the keynote speakers” or “Who’s giving out the best swag?”

8. Take it all In and Enjoy

At my first GHC last year, I remember feeling so overwhelmed to be surrounded with so many women. I was no longer a minority standing in that convention center. Moreover, to be around women with similar passion, dreams, zeal, and mindset was a dream come true.

This one is silly but pause and take it all in. Bask in it and enjoy the fantastically good and positive vibes at GHC. Trust me it will be an experience of a lifetime. Hope to see you all in Houston next week.

Ankita Mishra was a Program Manager Intern on Office 365 team at Microsoft. She worked with a team of designers, developers, technologists to create and develop the business benefits for Office 365 Enterprise Customers. She is pursuing her MBA-MIS dual masters from the University of Arizona and is graduating this December. She will be attending GHC next week in Houston. To know more about her experience at GHC or to connect, connect with Ankita on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankitamishra04/