Etiquette consultant Rachel Wagner recently shared in her e-newsletter how one should behave while attending a conference. According to our June survey, the average reader of Church Relevance attends 2 ministry conferences each year. So here are a few highlights from Rachel’s article to help you be on your best behavior the next time you attend a ministry conference:

At the Conference

• Network!
• Do not spend your time with coworkers.
• Introduce yourself.
• Give a firm handshake and make eye contact.
• Use discretion when giving out business cards: wait until someone asks, or ask if you may give yours. Make sure your cards are clean and up to date with no information crossed out.

At a Breakout Session

• Introduce yourself to persons sitting on either side of you.
• Use breaks for returning phone calls and emails on your BlackBerry.

In the Exhibition Hall

• Avoid grabbing giveaways without learning about the business.
• Don’t block a vendor’s table when talking to a friend.
• If you need to put a cup of liquid down for a moment, do it elsewhere, but not on the vendor’s table.

At Lunches or Dinners

• Extend your hand and introduce yourself to those you don’t know at your table before sitting down.
• Engage in conversation with diners on both sides of you.

At Parties and Receptions

• Keep food or beverage in your left hand; your right hand should always be free for shaking.

By the way, I will be speaking at The Internet Ministry Conference this year. If you are going, be sure to introduce yourself. I would love to meet you.