Members often tell me that one of the most impactful experiences in a Tessitura user's career is attending TLCC.

But sometimes attendees feel overwhelmed. They're not sure how to prepare for the opportunity. Here are tips I've gathered from past attendees of the Tessitura Learning & Community Conference (TLCC) to help you maximize the experience.

You've registered! What's next?

Start with your team.

Attending a conference is an investment. It's important to understand what your organization wants to get out of TLCC. Bring together a cross-departmental steering group to discuss your priorities. Identify key business problems you are trying to solve across your teams. Are there new technologies or strategies you want to explore? Are there trends you want to investigate? Planning helps establish goals for the conference week and shape your Tessitura roadmap.

Plan your networking.

Tessitura has a vibrant and award-winning online community. Attendees tell us that meeting fellow community members in real life increases the value of these relationships exponentially. Whether peers from a similar institution, colleagues in a comparable job role or friends you make in one of our many affinity groups, every connection has a place in our community. At TLCC, we provide an opportunity to gather and discuss these commonalities. These groups provide validation, problem-solving, support and growth. Many community connections have gone on to expand into real friendships and even a few marriages! Explore the online communities in advance to start engaging with these folks before the conference and help shape your conversations in person.

Start building your schedule.

Distribute participation.

About a month before TLCC, the full conference schedule becomes available. Whether you are the only person participating from your organization or you have a team attending, it's time to decide how you want to make assignments. Strategize your coverage to achieve your goals. There are multiple options during each session block to choose from. Some teams meet to draft and assign session attendance. TLCC North America also offers a virtual pass with content that attendees can participate in from home. Sessions shared virtually are available on demand following the event, so if you find yourself torn between two options, remember you can catch up on these presentations later.

Sign up for something new.

Once you cover your bases, you may want to find an opportunity to challenge your comfort zone. Could you benefit from training on a new-to-you skill? Is there a topic that doesn't apply to your job role directly but could expand your impact? Broadening your knowledge can make you a better collaborator and help advance your organization's use of Tessitura. This not only helps your organization, but it can also grow your career.

Plan how you will refuel and bring the conference home!

Recharge during build-your-own networking night.

We know the conference can be intense. We include a night off from structured programming so you can build your own plans. This could be an opportunity to stay in and recharge or go offsite to refuel. Conference sponsors often host events on this night, which is a great way to get familiar with partner offerings. Another way to refill your cup is to visit Tessitura member organizations in our host city. Members are eager to show off their venues and often offer special promotions and information about their programs through the conference app.

Decide how you want to bring it all home.

Probably the most important tip I've heard is to plan how you want to bring the conference home. If you establish your organization's goals at the outset, you can focus your time and your takeaways. It can be tempting to come home and want to do "all the things." Prioritizing a few quick wins with the biggest impact on your organization is the best way to ensure success. This vision can also inform how you take notes and how you share takeaways with your team when you return.

We know how precious your time is and are grateful that you choose to spend it at TLCC. I hope these ideas help you get the most out of your TLCC experience. And if you have other tips, please continue to share them with us.

We can't wait to see you at TLCC!