How do I make the most of my attendance at the World Economic Forum?

December 5, 2014 5:07 PM

I’ve received a rather unlikely invitation to attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos. What can I expect? What shall I do in preparation, and at the event, in order to maximise the opportunity?

I’m going to the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos early next year. From what I’ve heard, it’s an incredible, intense experience, allowing exceptional access to prominent thinkers and decision-makers.

I'm a young person working in the community sector, and I’ve never been to the Forum before. I expect it'll be quite a different experience to anything I've previously done.

In preparation for the event, attendees have been sent a dossier of logistical information (covering things like transport, registration, media arrangements, side / leisure events) and the programme of formal sessions - but in addition to reading all of this, what can I do, in preparation and at the event, to make the most of the opportunity?

(I'm familiar with general advice around preparing for conferences: having a goal in mind, developing a list of sessions to attend and people to meet, being unafraid to ask questions and approach people, having a personal elevator pitch, bringing business cards, and scheduling some time for reflection. I’m after advice specific to attending the WEF (What can I expect? How can I best manage my time? Are there any regular events that I should definitely attend? Any logistical tips?) or an event of its prominence and exclusivity.)

posted by the_wellspring to Society & Culture (2 answers total)

Has anyone here been to Davos?

Davos has a higher concentration of the "transnational social elite" than most conferences. I expect the advice for networking is the same -- generally (based on reading "Never Eat Alone") to know what people in your network can do and to make a clear offer in your elevator pitch (e.g. ask to be mentored, ask to set up a business meeting later). I imagine you can offer: 1. expert domain knowledge (for finding profitable deals, not for intellectual reasons) 2. analytical skills and energy (mentor-able) 3. contacts (you probably know some other experts or well-connected people). I'm more aligned with the "college-educated intellectual" social class so I don't know much about the "capital-owning businessman" social class. I imagine many of the people at Davos have the same characteristics and flaws as high-performing investment bankers.

Hopefully whoever invited you has some advice. Who do they want to meet there? Your first job is probably to help them do that.
posted by sninctown at 7:16 PM on December 5, 2014 [1 favorite]

There are tons of events all run by the forum and then a fringe alongside it, which can also be interesting but are typically either very low key or corporation funded. You have to be prepared for the weather. Bring boots you've broken in first and be prepared for rain and snow. Davos is otherwise a fairly pedestrian ski resort but you may actually be staying out of town unless you have booked already. They may have a rate given to you by the forum. I am sure you'll get a programme as part of registration. From there, you'll get an inkling of themes and plan your way in. I do not know if there is a protocol for invitees the first time but there may well be an introduction pack.
posted by parmanparman at 9:12 AM on December 6, 2014 [1 favorite]