August 14, 2025 • 17 mins
Headed to a dental conference? Before you pack that extra pair of heels (or worse… that jumpsuit you’ll regret in the restroom), listen in!
We’re talking everything from rookie mistakes to pro-level packing tips, networking without burning out, and the must-haves that keep you sane in the chaos. Whether it’s your first event or your fiftieth, this is the survival guide you didn’t know you needed.
Learn how to:
- Nail your conference wardrobe without sacrificing comfort
- Network without feeling like you have to “friend” everyone
- Save yourself from tech, travel, and tired-feet disasters
Special thanks to Chris "The Wizard" Stone of Rock Solid Media, our recording partner!
More ways to stay in touch!
Watch the episode on youtube: @backin10pod
Follow on Instagram: @backin10pod
Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backin10pod/
#DentalConference #DentistryPodcast #DentalLeadership #DentalOfficeManager #DentalCommunity #ConferenceTips #DentalTeamLife #DentistryLife #MeetingMayhem #BackIn10Pod
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Chris Stone (00:00):
Alright, ladies and gentlemen, boys and
girls, children of all ages.
It is the Bostonian Bombshells in 3, 2, 1.
Jen Steadman (00:12):
Back in 10 is a podcast for dental leaders who do it all
and need 10 minutes to themselves.
Savanah Carlson (00:17):
It's about real conversations, not curated ones, the
kind that happen off the clock, behindclosed doors, and between the chaos of
running a practice and running life.
Jen Steadman (00:27):
Hosted by Savanah Carlson and Jen Steadman, two women who've led,
learned, and laughed through it all.
Savanah Carlson (00:34):
This show brings honest stories, leadership truths, and
the occasional sassy take on what itreally means to lead in dentistry today.
Jen Steadman (00:41):
Because sometimes the best leadership happens when
you step away for 10 minutes.
Savanah Carlson (00:47):
This is back in 10.
Hello everyone.
Welcome to back in 10.
I'm Savannah.
And I'm Jen, and I am.
I am beyond flattered that I was justintroduced as a, a Boston bombshell.
(01:09):
Wow.
We wow.
Wizard.
Damn.
I know.
He said he was thinkingabout that one all morning.
You were thinking about us, Chris.
Thanks.
No, listen, we, I knewI had the recording.
Chris Stone (01:20):
I knew I had to come up with a knockout intro.
So
Savanah Carlson (01:25):
that was, I mean, that was Knockout was good.
You dropped that bomb like it's hot.
Chris Stone (01:31):
Aha.
The bombshells.
Ooh, I love it.
With the accent too.
There you go.
Bombshells.
Hmm.
Yeah.
Savanah Carlson (01:38):
Boston Bombshells.
Hell yeah.
Yeah.
There you go.
I'm seeing some future swag.
Okay.
Yeah, I bet.
After this, I, I, no, probablyduring this whole recording
I'll be thinking about like.
Different images like grenades,bombshells, how can we do this?
Like that's what happens whenyou have a marketing brain.
You just see something and you're,you always think, how can I improve
(02:00):
this for my user experience?
And then how will it impact everyone else?
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
That's what I do with
my left side of my brain.
Jen Steadman (02:13):
Yes.
It's a beautiful leftside of your brain too.
I do have to add.
Savanah Carlson (02:17):
Sometimes it's a little scary, but.
All public products are great.
Chris Stone (02:24):
She's a Butte.
Yeah, she's a Butte clock.
A real Butte.
Savanah Carlson (02:29):
Oh my goodness.
Now, I know what reference you're making,and Jen might know what reference you
were making, but for the audience,what reference were you making, Chris?
Speaker 4 (02:39):
Christmas vacation, Christmas vacation.
Chris Stone (02:44):
I'm in the Jelly of the Month Club, so Christmas vacation is timeless.
It doesn't have to be Thanksgivingor Christmas to watch the movie.
It really doesn't.
And every time I watch a movie,I pick up something different
Speaker 3 (02:58):
when we start into our holiday podcast.
Oh man.
We have to have something aboutholiday desserts because Savannah
has a sweet tooth problem.
Me
Chris Stone (03:09):
too.
Savanah Carlson (03:10):
Honestly, I could look at a brownie and get diabetes.
I just love
sweets that much.
Jen Steadman (03:16):
Addie made a trifle for the 4th of July.
And used brownies instead of cake.
So it was,
oh, brilliant
Brownies and Chocolate Pudding andCool Whip and score bars and it was
money and then it doesn'tget soggy the cake.
So then you can make it wellahead of time and it, it will
(03:37):
get that cake's consistency afterlike 24 hours in the fridge.
Queen, it was Addie, I knowyou're listening to this.
That was brilliant.
Auntie Savannah would love foryou to make her that as a treat.
We're up this morning to talkto you all about conferences.
(03:57):
Woo-hoo.
Yeah.
What's good?
What's bad?
What should you bring?
What should you leave behind?
Should you bring an extrasuitcase for all that swag?
Yeah.
Conferencing is conference upon us, right?
Yeah, it's starting up.
And Savannah, you and Ihave been to many, um.
Even before we met many yearsago and then together and yeah.
(04:21):
Sabina, you're a great roomie.
I do have to say
Speaker 3 (04:24):
you are too.
We, Jen, I travel very well together.
I would, I know in the past we'vediscussed that we also show up to the
airport wearing the same exact outfits.
Savanah Carlson (04:35):
Yeah.
Weird.
Like
Speaker 3 (04:36):
generally, but we also travel very well together.
We like to share our dishes 'causewe like to try new foods and Yeah.
And we're totally fine going back toour rooms early at night to put on
under eye masks and watch Titanic.
Yes.
That might happened.
That might have happened.
Savanah Carlson (04:57):
Yeah.
That, that might have.
And just.
Kind of roll 'em with the punches becauselet's be honest, there's lots of things
to look at while you're traveling.
Yeah.
And lots of different people.
And I think that's one of the things withconferences too, especially if you have to
travel, is like getting prepared and goingto the airport early and we're, y'all
know we're from Boston and Logan Airport.
(05:20):
Like you have to get there significantlyearlier than any other airport.
I swear it is not for the faint of heart.
I think one of the things with even justgetting ready for conferences, I think
is, you know, talking to someone aboutit, finding your friend, find a buddy,
just, you know, get excited about it.
Talk about your outfits, becauselet's be honest, that's a thing.
(05:43):
It's like, what are you wearing?
Is there events thatyou have to prepare for?
Um, you know, is there night activitiesand different things that you're doing?
And just kind ofunderstanding what's going on.
Um.
I will say I've also been that newbiegoing to a conference for the first time
and have no stinking clue what I'm doing.
So it's okay to not reallyknow and just go with it.
(06:07):
And you just have to be,be prepared for that.
Yeah, and it it with the, having aconference buddy, I always like to look
at the size of the conference that I'mgoing to and that will really put some
pressure on me to whether or not I can.
Meet everyone I need to meet in a, inthe short amount of time I'm there.
(06:27):
Or if I have to discuss with my NCE buddy.
Okay, look, we need to talk tothese 50 different dental industry
vendors, sponsor speakers.
I can't do it alone.
Let's compare lists and see if wecan divide and conquer and accomplish
a lot in a minimal amount of time.
Um.
(06:48):
'cause once you start to talk to a certainvendor or an industry leader, when you're
having a, a really strong conversationthat is, uh, meaningful, which you
should, when you meet these vendors atconferences, uh, the time just flies you.
I, I would go to a specific vendorsaying like, I'm just gonna stop in.
(07:09):
I'm just gonna say hi, see ifanything is new with the app.
And then I'm gonna be on mymerry way 45 minutes later.
I'm still at that booth.
And to your, um, feedbackon being a newbie.
At any type of event.
In that scenario, it's, I found itvery valuable to go into all the
(07:32):
public online forums ahead of timeto see what the chatter is, see what
the vibe is, making sure it's my kindof vibe if I'm gonna jive with, with
who's gonna be there or if I'm gonnahave to like, be my lone wolf and get
nitty gritty and do what I need to do.
Um, but those online forumsare really, really helpful.
As a newcomer to any type of study club,meeting, conference and figuring out a
(07:58):
game plan for yourself for being there.
Jen Steadman (08:01):
Yeah, and I think, look, when you're a newbie going
to a conference, because Savannah,you and I have been there.
Mm-hmm.
You, if you are an introvert,you need to be prepared.
To be an extrovert whenyou first get there.
Right?
You don't need to talk to everybody.
I'm not saying, you know, showing showup in all sequences, but sit down at a
(08:25):
table and just say like, hi, I'm Jen.
I'm from Boston.
You know, what do you do?
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
Mm-hmm.
And have even like, have a few questionsthat you want to ask just to get to
know people kind of prepared in yourhead because it'll make it a little bit
easier to come out if you've thoughtabout those, you know, um, for dental
specifically, I would say, you know,like what type of practice are you in?
(08:49):
How long have you been at your practice?
You know, are yougenerally your specialty?
Um, are you a member of a localstudy club that you have, you know.
Um, what classes are you taking?
Just if you have some of those in yourhead, especially if you're an introvert
and if you're nervous about going,it just makes it so much easier just
to come out and be like, hi, I'm Jen.
(09:10):
You know?
Um,
Savanah Carlson (09:11):
and we're not asking you to befriend everyone you meet.
No.
Being an acquaintanceI is absolutely fine.
You don't have to become best friends witheveryone you have a conversation with.
That's not the point ofgoing to conferences.
You're there for.
Hopefully you're there for education,um, and or find products that are gonna
make your practice successful, but.
(09:34):
The bonus of going to any typeof meeting and conference is
making those network connections.
But we're not telling you, youmust do this to be successful.
Not the case.
Jen Steadman (09:45):
No.
And look, it's also just to, like, ifyou're walking in the halls, you might
see a familiar face and that's good, youknow, just to kind of wave and just smile.
Um, smiling is a big thing.
If you just walk around andsmile, people are gonna say hi.
Just.
Just smile.
Right.
And I think that's a huge thing.
So kind of, you know, preparing for thataspect of it, um, is definitely helpful.
(10:09):
I think, you know, clothes area completely different thing.
The different things that you're bringing.
Um, Savannah, I have a question for you.
What is the, your top three things thatyou never forget to pack for a conference?
Like it's your must.
Savanah Carlson (10:25):
A sweater or a blazer of some, like some
business casual sweater or blazer.
They, they don't lie to youwhen they say it's gonna get
cold in that conference center.
It gets freaking frigid in mostmeetings and conference centers just
to keep it comfortable for the vendorsand speakers in the bright lights
and the energy of having to speak.
(10:47):
Um, so sweater or blazer, um, I. Wouldbring my laptop or my iPad with the
attached keyboard for note taking.
Uh, I've transitioned out of traditionalnote taking because I wanna make sure
my notes are accessible at the endof the day so I can send a follow
up to my doctor and or to other.
(11:10):
Team leads saying, these are the reallycool things that I've learned today.
Can't wait to to touchbase when we get back.
Just give them a highlightof what I'm learning.
That's why I do everything digitally now.
Um, that's number two.
And then number three, an an extra bottle.
Anything like this, a travelbottle to refill on your own so
(11:33):
you're not having to find cups andglasses all the time everywhere.
I think those are my top three things.
Yeah.
Hydration.
It gets really dry in, inthe hotels and everything.
So yeah, those are my top three I think.
Good.
Love them.
Yeah.
What are yours?
Number one, every time I travelis my travel pillow, but it's not,
(11:53):
you know, it's not a like a. Itis a mini like foam pill pillow.
It's a memory foam pillow.
I have a really bad like neck and back,and if I have an awful night's sleep,
I am no good to the world the next day.
So I bring that littlepillow with me everywhere.
It's like toddler size, butit works perfectly for me.
(12:14):
So that's number one.
Anytime I go anywhere.
Number two, similar to you,like I really wanna have all my
notes and everything electronic.
Because I'm a Mac user, I, everythingis connected, so it's like, whether
it's my iPad, my phone, I alwaysmake sure that I have like one
document with all of my notes.
Um, and usually I'll separate it by day.
(12:36):
So that way I am like,wait, what happened?
Because usually I can think of, I'mlike, okay, I know that I talked
to them, when did I talk to them?
Versus it just, just separated out byday is usually a little bit easier.
The third thing, an extralike phone charger, a device
charger, um, because I'll say.
(12:57):
Yeah, an external charger.
Yeah.
Because what I found is, especiallyin different conference centers, like
with wifi and all that stuff, andif you don't have good connection,
it just sucks your battery.
So I always bring in extra likeexternal brick charger everywhere.
Mm-hmm.
Even for my watch too, like myApple watch, like I have like the
one that has the attachment on it.
(13:17):
That's been one of the best things.
And uh, I've also made friendsby offering my charger to people
that their phones are dead.
So there
Speaker 3 (13:26):
you go.
I have seen more often now atmeetings and conferences, they
do offer charging stations too.
So look at the maps for that.
But I am with you in bringing thatexternal charger when it comes to a tire.
Let's, let's just quicklyjump a little bit into that.
(13:47):
Yeah.
Um, you mentioned that it canget a bit chilly, um mm-hmm.
I always err on the side ofbusiness casual for every type
of dental meeting and conference.
It just makes me feel confident and putmy best self forward as opposed to showing
up in leggings or like my gym wear.
And there, you know what?
(14:08):
No hate, no hate to anyone who doesthat 'cause your're on your off time.
But are you on your off time orare you on your professional time?
Something to think about.
Appearance is, is.
Big when it comes to attendingthese conferences if you are
in a leadership position and itadds to you being a professional.
Savanah Carlson (14:32):
Yeah, and I think, you know, with that, you wanna make sure
that whatever you're wearing, even like.
If you're not wearing gymattire, you're still comfortable.
So like, don't wear pants that are tootight that if you sit down, your button's
gonna pop, or you know it's gonna cutyou the wrong way and not be comfortable.
'cause you're gonna besitting for a while.
Right?
I've been there, been been there.
Speaker 3 (14:54):
I've made the mistake of wearing Spanx and
then a jumpsuit over the Spanx.
Do you know how long it takes toget into the bathroom and have to.
To take a tinkle, oh,and take the Spanx down.
I literally had to open the doorand say, I'm sorry, this is awkward.
Is anyone comfortableunzipping my jumpsuit?
For me, I had, I mean.
(15:16):
God knows how I got it on thatmorning, but getting it off, I
was like, I need, I need help.
Who's gonna, who in thisrestroom can help me right now?
Unzip this jumpsuit?
No, that's an urgent matter.
Be very mindful of spans.
Jen Steadman (15:28):
Yes.
And just what you're wearing.
Right, because, and I've found thisbefore that like I'd have a jumpsuit
on and then a blazer, like I'mvery comfortable like in a blazer.
It's like my.
You know, it's like a, I don't know,just makes you feel a little bit
more confident, like, and I couldfeel like completely put together if
I just have like a jeans, jeans anda t-shirt on and have a blazer on.
But having a blazer, a badge, yourbag, and a jumpsuit and a belt on.
(15:54):
Girl, that's easily gonna takeme at least three minutes to pull
down and drop trow so I can go pee.
And when I gotta go, I gotta go.
So be mindful of where the restrooms are.
Definitely look for those, becausesometimes they are in Timbuk two, I've
been there, that they're in Timbuk two.
And your shoes.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
Comfy shoes, ALS looking ahead at the size of the space in the venue.
Some venues are tiny, like it's ahop, skip, and a jump to get from
your room to the the event center.
Totally fine.
Some places it's a marathon tryingto get out to where you need to go.
Being very mindful of your footwear andbring band-aids, you'll get blisters.
(16:39):
I always have extra band-aidsand blister pads just
Savanah Carlson (16:42):
in case a pair of sneakers is totally fine too.
You know, it's totallyfine and it's in right now.
A nice pair of like crispwhite sneakers like it's in.
All right, everyone.
Our break ended, oh, over fiveminutes ago and we are still chatting
in the hallway, but you know,we're not done talking about this.
(17:02):
So join us later this week for parttwo of our meeting Mayhem Sessions.
Thanks for spending a fewminutes with us on back in 10.
Jen Steadman (17:11):
If something made you laugh, nod or feel a little more
human, share it with a friend andmake sure that you're subscribed.
Savanah Carlson (17:17):
You can also follow us on Instagram at back in
10 Pod for more behind the scenesupdates and probably a little chaos.
Jen Steadman (17:25):
We're not here to have it all figured out.
We are just here to tell you thethings that we wish someone had told us
Savanah Carlson (17:32):
and remind you that leadership doesn't
have to be perfect, just real.
We'll be back in 10.
Alright, ladies and gentlemen, boys and
girls, children of all ages.
It is the Bostonian Bombshells in 3, 2, 1.
Jen Steadman (00:12):
Back in 10 is a podcast for dental leaders who do it all
and need 10 minutes to themselves.
Savanah Carlson (00:17):
It's about real conversations, not curated ones, the
kind that happen off the clock, behindclosed doors, and between the chaos of
running a practice and running life.
Jen Steadman (00:27):
Hosted by Savanah Carlson and Jen Steadman, two women who've led,
learned, and laughed through it all.
Savanah Carlson (00:34):
This show brings honest stories, leadership truths, and
the occasional sassy take on what itreally means to lead in dentistry today.
Jen Steadman (00:41):
Because sometimes the best leadership happens when
you step away for 10 minutes.
Savanah Carlson (00:47):
This is back in 10.
Hello everyone.
Welcome to back in 10.
I'm Savannah.
And I'm Jen, and I am.
I am beyond flattered that I was justintroduced as a, a Boston bombshell.
(01:09):
Wow.
We wow.
Wizard.
Damn.
I know.
He said he was thinkingabout that one all morning.
You were thinking about us, Chris.
Thanks.
No, listen, we, I knewI had the recording.
Chris Stone (01:20):
I knew I had to come up with a knockout intro.
So
Savanah Carlson (01:25):
that was, I mean, that was Knockout was good.
You dropped that bomb like it's hot.
Chris Stone (01:31):
Aha.
The bombshells.
Ooh, I love it.
With the accent too.
There you go.
Bombshells.
Hmm.
Yeah.
Savanah Carlson (01:38):
Boston Bombshells.
Hell yeah.
Yeah.
There you go.
I'm seeing some future swag.
Okay.
Yeah, I bet.
After this, I, I, no, probablyduring this whole recording
I'll be thinking about like.
Different images like grenades,bombshells, how can we do this?
Like that's what happens whenyou have a marketing brain.
You just see something and you're,you always think, how can I improve
(02:00):
this for my user experience?
And then how will it impact everyone else?
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
That's what I do with
my left side of my brain.
Jen Steadman (02:13):
Yes.
It's a beautiful leftside of your brain too.
I do have to add.
Savanah Carlson (02:17):
Sometimes it's a little scary, but.
All public products are great.
Chris Stone (02:24):
She's a Butte.
Yeah, she's a Butte clock.
A real Butte.
Savanah Carlson (02:29):
Oh my goodness.
Now, I know what reference you're making,and Jen might know what reference you
were making, but for the audience,what reference were you making, Chris?
Speaker 4 (02:39):
Christmas vacation, Christmas vacation.
Chris Stone (02:44):
I'm in the Jelly of the Month Club, so Christmas vacation is timeless.
It doesn't have to be Thanksgivingor Christmas to watch the movie.
It really doesn't.
And every time I watch a movie,I pick up something different
Speaker 3 (02:58):
when we start into our holiday podcast.
Oh man.
We have to have something aboutholiday desserts because Savannah
has a sweet tooth problem.
Me
Chris Stone (03:09):
too.
Savanah Carlson (03:10):
Honestly, I could look at a brownie and get diabetes.
I just love
sweets that much.
Jen Steadman (03:16):
Addie made a trifle for the 4th of July.
And used brownies instead of cake.
So it was,
oh, brilliant
Brownies and Chocolate Pudding andCool Whip and score bars and it was
money and then it doesn'tget soggy the cake.
So then you can make it wellahead of time and it, it will
(03:37):
get that cake's consistency afterlike 24 hours in the fridge.
Queen, it was Addie, I knowyou're listening to this.
That was brilliant.
Auntie Savannah would love foryou to make her that as a treat.
We're up this morning to talkto you all about conferences.
(03:57):
Woo-hoo.
Yeah.
What's good?
What's bad?
What should you bring?
What should you leave behind?
Should you bring an extrasuitcase for all that swag?
Yeah.
Conferencing is conference upon us, right?
Yeah, it's starting up.
And Savannah, you and Ihave been to many, um.
Even before we met many yearsago and then together and yeah.
(04:21):
Sabina, you're a great roomie.
I do have to say
Speaker 3 (04:24):
you are too.
We, Jen, I travel very well together.
I would, I know in the past we'vediscussed that we also show up to the
airport wearing the same exact outfits.
Savanah Carlson (04:35):
Yeah.
Weird.
Like
Speaker 3 (04:36):
generally, but we also travel very well together.
We like to share our dishes 'causewe like to try new foods and Yeah.
And we're totally fine going back toour rooms early at night to put on
under eye masks and watch Titanic.
Yes.
That might happened.
That might have happened.
Savanah Carlson (04:57):
Yeah.
That, that might have.
And just.
Kind of roll 'em with the punches becauselet's be honest, there's lots of things
to look at while you're traveling.
Yeah.
And lots of different people.
And I think that's one of the things withconferences too, especially if you have to
travel, is like getting prepared and goingto the airport early and we're, y'all
know we're from Boston and Logan Airport.
(05:20):
Like you have to get there significantlyearlier than any other airport.
I swear it is not for the faint of heart.
I think one of the things with even justgetting ready for conferences, I think
is, you know, talking to someone aboutit, finding your friend, find a buddy,
just, you know, get excited about it.
Talk about your outfits, becauselet's be honest, that's a thing.
(05:43):
It's like, what are you wearing?
Is there events thatyou have to prepare for?
Um, you know, is there night activitiesand different things that you're doing?
And just kind ofunderstanding what's going on.
Um.
I will say I've also been that newbiegoing to a conference for the first time
and have no stinking clue what I'm doing.
So it's okay to not reallyknow and just go with it.
(06:07):
And you just have to be,be prepared for that.
Yeah, and it it with the, having aconference buddy, I always like to look
at the size of the conference that I'mgoing to and that will really put some
pressure on me to whether or not I can.
Meet everyone I need to meet in a, inthe short amount of time I'm there.
(06:27):
Or if I have to discuss with my NCE buddy.
Okay, look, we need to talk tothese 50 different dental industry
vendors, sponsor speakers.
I can't do it alone.
Let's compare lists and see if wecan divide and conquer and accomplish
a lot in a minimal amount of time.
Um.
(06:48):
'cause once you start to talk to a certainvendor or an industry leader, when you're
having a, a really strong conversationthat is, uh, meaningful, which you
should, when you meet these vendors atconferences, uh, the time just flies you.
I, I would go to a specific vendorsaying like, I'm just gonna stop in.
(07:09):
I'm just gonna say hi, see ifanything is new with the app.
And then I'm gonna be on mymerry way 45 minutes later.
I'm still at that booth.
And to your, um, feedbackon being a newbie.
At any type of event.
In that scenario, it's, I found itvery valuable to go into all the
(07:32):
public online forums ahead of timeto see what the chatter is, see what
the vibe is, making sure it's my kindof vibe if I'm gonna jive with, with
who's gonna be there or if I'm gonnahave to like, be my lone wolf and get
nitty gritty and do what I need to do.
Um, but those online forumsare really, really helpful.
As a newcomer to any type of study club,meeting, conference and figuring out a
(07:58):
game plan for yourself for being there.
Jen Steadman (08:01):
Yeah, and I think, look, when you're a newbie going
to a conference, because Savannah,you and I have been there.
Mm-hmm.
You, if you are an introvert,you need to be prepared.
To be an extrovert whenyou first get there.
Right?
You don't need to talk to everybody.
I'm not saying, you know, showing showup in all sequences, but sit down at a
(08:25):
table and just say like, hi, I'm Jen.
I'm from Boston.
You know, what do you do?
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
Mm-hmm.
And have even like, have a few questionsthat you want to ask just to get to
know people kind of prepared in yourhead because it'll make it a little bit
easier to come out if you've thoughtabout those, you know, um, for dental
specifically, I would say, you know,like what type of practice are you in?
(08:49):
How long have you been at your practice?
You know, are yougenerally your specialty?
Um, are you a member of a localstudy club that you have, you know.
Um, what classes are you taking?
Just if you have some of those in yourhead, especially if you're an introvert
and if you're nervous about going,it just makes it so much easier just
to come out and be like, hi, I'm Jen.
(09:10):
You know?
Um,
Savanah Carlson (09:11):
and we're not asking you to befriend everyone you meet.
No.
Being an acquaintanceI is absolutely fine.
You don't have to become best friends witheveryone you have a conversation with.
That's not the point ofgoing to conferences.
You're there for.
Hopefully you're there for education,um, and or find products that are gonna
make your practice successful, but.
(09:34):
The bonus of going to any typeof meeting and conference is
making those network connections.
But we're not telling you, youmust do this to be successful.
Not the case.
Jen Steadman (09:45):
No.
And look, it's also just to, like, ifyou're walking in the halls, you might
see a familiar face and that's good, youknow, just to kind of wave and just smile.
Um, smiling is a big thing.
If you just walk around andsmile, people are gonna say hi.
Just.
Just smile.
Right.
And I think that's a huge thing.
So kind of, you know, preparing for thataspect of it, um, is definitely helpful.
(10:09):
I think, you know, clothes area completely different thing.
The different things that you're bringing.
Um, Savannah, I have a question for you.
What is the, your top three things thatyou never forget to pack for a conference?
Like it's your must.
Savanah Carlson (10:25):
A sweater or a blazer of some, like some
business casual sweater or blazer.
They, they don't lie to youwhen they say it's gonna get
cold in that conference center.
It gets freaking frigid in mostmeetings and conference centers just
to keep it comfortable for the vendorsand speakers in the bright lights
and the energy of having to speak.
(10:47):
Um, so sweater or blazer, um, I. Wouldbring my laptop or my iPad with the
attached keyboard for note taking.
Uh, I've transitioned out of traditionalnote taking because I wanna make sure
my notes are accessible at the endof the day so I can send a follow
up to my doctor and or to other.
(11:10):
Team leads saying, these are the reallycool things that I've learned today.
Can't wait to to touchbase when we get back.
Just give them a highlightof what I'm learning.
That's why I do everything digitally now.
Um, that's number two.
And then number three, an an extra bottle.
Anything like this, a travelbottle to refill on your own so
(11:33):
you're not having to find cups andglasses all the time everywhere.
I think those are my top three things.
Yeah.
Hydration.
It gets really dry in, inthe hotels and everything.
So yeah, those are my top three I think.
Good.
Love them.
Yeah.
What are yours?
Number one, every time I travelis my travel pillow, but it's not,
(11:53):
you know, it's not a like a. Itis a mini like foam pill pillow.
It's a memory foam pillow.
I have a really bad like neck and back,and if I have an awful night's sleep,
I am no good to the world the next day.
So I bring that littlepillow with me everywhere.
It's like toddler size, butit works perfectly for me.
(12:14):
So that's number one.
Anytime I go anywhere.
Number two, similar to you,like I really wanna have all my
notes and everything electronic.
Because I'm a Mac user, I, everythingis connected, so it's like, whether
it's my iPad, my phone, I alwaysmake sure that I have like one
document with all of my notes.
Um, and usually I'll separate it by day.
(12:36):
So that way I am like,wait, what happened?
Because usually I can think of, I'mlike, okay, I know that I talked
to them, when did I talk to them?
Versus it just, just separated out byday is usually a little bit easier.
The third thing, an extralike phone charger, a device
charger, um, because I'll say.
(12:57):
Yeah, an external charger.
Yeah.
Because what I found is, especiallyin different conference centers, like
with wifi and all that stuff, andif you don't have good connection,
it just sucks your battery.
So I always bring in extra likeexternal brick charger everywhere.
Mm-hmm.
Even for my watch too, like myApple watch, like I have like the
one that has the attachment on it.
(13:17):
That's been one of the best things.
And uh, I've also made friendsby offering my charger to people
that their phones are dead.
So there
Speaker 3 (13:26):
you go.
I have seen more often now atmeetings and conferences, they
do offer charging stations too.
So look at the maps for that.
But I am with you in bringing thatexternal charger when it comes to a tire.
Let's, let's just quicklyjump a little bit into that.
(13:47):
Yeah.
Um, you mentioned that it canget a bit chilly, um mm-hmm.
I always err on the side ofbusiness casual for every type
of dental meeting and conference.
It just makes me feel confident and putmy best self forward as opposed to showing
up in leggings or like my gym wear.
And there, you know what?
(14:08):
No hate, no hate to anyone who doesthat 'cause your're on your off time.
But are you on your off time orare you on your professional time?
Something to think about.
Appearance is, is.
Big when it comes to attendingthese conferences if you are
in a leadership position and itadds to you being a professional.
Savanah Carlson (14:32):
Yeah, and I think, you know, with that, you wanna make sure
that whatever you're wearing, even like.
If you're not wearing gymattire, you're still comfortable.
So like, don't wear pants that are tootight that if you sit down, your button's
gonna pop, or you know it's gonna cutyou the wrong way and not be comfortable.
'cause you're gonna besitting for a while.
Right?
I've been there, been been there.
Speaker 3 (14:54):
I've made the mistake of wearing Spanx and
then a jumpsuit over the Spanx.
Do you know how long it takes toget into the bathroom and have to.
To take a tinkle, oh,and take the Spanx down.
I literally had to open the doorand say, I'm sorry, this is awkward.
Is anyone comfortableunzipping my jumpsuit?
For me, I had, I mean.
(15:16):
God knows how I got it on thatmorning, but getting it off, I
was like, I need, I need help.
Who's gonna, who in thisrestroom can help me right now?
Unzip this jumpsuit?
No, that's an urgent matter.
Be very mindful of spans.
Jen Steadman (15:28):
Yes.
And just what you're wearing.
Right, because, and I've found thisbefore that like I'd have a jumpsuit
on and then a blazer, like I'mvery comfortable like in a blazer.
It's like my.
You know, it's like a, I don't know,just makes you feel a little bit
more confident, like, and I couldfeel like completely put together if
I just have like a jeans, jeans anda t-shirt on and have a blazer on.
But having a blazer, a badge, yourbag, and a jumpsuit and a belt on.
(15:54):
Girl, that's easily gonna takeme at least three minutes to pull
down and drop trow so I can go pee.
And when I gotta go, I gotta go.
So be mindful of where the restrooms are.
Definitely look for those, becausesometimes they are in Timbuk two, I've
been there, that they're in Timbuk two.
And your shoes.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
Comfy shoes, ALS looking ahead at the size of the space in the venue.
Some venues are tiny, like it's ahop, skip, and a jump to get from
your room to the the event center.
Totally fine.
Some places it's a marathon tryingto get out to where you need to go.
Being very mindful of your footwear andbring band-aids, you'll get blisters.
(16:39):
I always have extra band-aidsand blister pads just
Savanah Carlson (16:42):
in case a pair of sneakers is totally fine too.
You know, it's totallyfine and it's in right now.
A nice pair of like crispwhite sneakers like it's in.
All right, everyone.
Our break ended, oh, over fiveminutes ago and we are still chatting
in the hallway, but you know,we're not done talking about this.
(17:02):
So join us later this week for parttwo of our meeting Mayhem Sessions.
Thanks for spending a fewminutes with us on back in 10.
Jen Steadman (17:11):
If something made you laugh, nod or feel a little more
human, share it with a friend andmake sure that you're subscribed.
Savanah Carlson (17:17):
You can also follow us on Instagram at back in
10 Pod for more behind the scenesupdates and probably a little chaos.
Jen Steadman (17:25):
We're not here to have it all figured out.
We are just here to tell you thethings that we wish someone had told us
Savanah Carlson (17:32):
and remind you that leadership doesn't
have to be perfect, just real.
We'll be back in 10.
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