How to Make the Most of Your Time at a Party Conference

Before the party conference 

Preparing for an event like the Labour Party Annual Conference doesn’t simply start on the day. To make the most of this opportunity, we recommend getting in some early prep work to make your party conference experience as smooth as possible. This includes: 

 

Planning your time 

If you know there are multiple talks you want to attend, or activities that you want to get involved in, we recommend planning some of your time before you arrive.  

Before you arrive for the party conference, explore the agenda and pick out which parts appeal to you. For party members and non-MPs, look for talks and fringe events that are relevant for your role, whilst sitting MPs should take note of any sessions that cover important topics within your constituency. 

Once you’ve picked out the main sessions, talks, and fringe events that appeal to you, you can make a rough schedule of your time at the conference. Whilst this schedule can change on the day, planning some of your time in advance can help you to make sure you don’t miss anything you want to experience – and reduce your stress before the party conference starts. 

Top tip: if you’re attending the Labour Party Annual Conference this year, make sure to download the app from the Apple or Google app store. This can help you keep track of your plans, and has loads of relevant and useful information for you to use as a delegate. 

 

Laying some groundwork for networking 

Networking and party conferences go hand in hand. This is a key opportunity to connect with other members and liaise with businesses, trade unions, and other attendees. But, considering everyone is going to be busy during the party conference, it may be worth arranging some meet-ups before you arrive. 

Whether this is through an email, or a personal message, contacting people before the party conference allows you to organise a 1-to-1 over coffee, or smaller group dinner where you can get to know each other and discuss various policies in a more relaxed environment. 

For example, if you’re attending the Labour Party Annual Conference at ACC Liverpool, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to meet people inside the Venue – and outside in the city. 

Top tip: want to arrange a dinner for a small group? Discover fantastic places to Eat and Drink in Liverpool with our handy guide. 

 

Packing for the day

The actual days of the party conference will be full of activities, moving from one space to another, and meeting new people – which can be exhausting. So, we recommend packing a day bag with some essentials the night before, including:

• Your party conference pass. DO NOT forget this, or you won’t be able to access the venue. 

• Valid Photo ID. 
• A notebook and pen. 

Whilst not strictly a packing tip, we recommend wearing comfortable shoes for the duration of the party conference. You’ll be doing a lot of walking around the venue and the wider city, so make sure you choose a practical set of shoes to keep you going. 

Top tip: try to keep your bag small. The majority of large-scale events, like the Labour Party Annual Conference, tend to limit attendees to one small bag (around A4 size or smaller). You should also be prepared for a bag search before you enter the venue. 

 

During the party conference 

The big day has arrived, and you’re finally ready to start your party conference experience. So, how can you make the most of your time once you hit the venue floor? 

 

Check in 

First things first, you need to check in. If you can, try to get there early to beat the crowds and give you some time to get acquainted with the venue. This will also give you time to ask staff and stewards any questions before it gets busier. 

Top tip: if you have any additional access requirements, checking in early gives you time to make the staff aware and orient yourself. Don’t forget to explore any Accessibility guidelines before arriving at the party conference venue too to find any information you need. 

 

Speak to new people 

As we’ve already mentioned, party conferences provide an opportunity to meet with other party members and ministers, discuss policies, and connect with like-minded businesses and sponsors at fringe events. 

With this influx of various perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences, one way to make the most of your time at a party conference is to go out of your way to speak with new people. Whilst this will include some pre-planned networking, you should also try to make conversation with other attendees throughout the event. 

Asking questions and using simple introductions are a great way to strike up a conversation and learn more about the people around you. If you’re nervous about this part, try to think of some conversation starters before you go, such as: 

• Hi, I’m [Name]. How are you finding the conference so far? 

• What did you think of that last talk? I thought that… 

• How are you doing today? 
• What’s been your favourite thing about the conference so far? 

However you go about it, being open to conversations with new people is the easiest way to maximise your party conference experience. 

Top tip: try not to spend the whole time with people you know. For example, if you’re attending the Labour Party Annual Conference at ACC Liverpool this season, try to make it a mission to meet a certain number of new people and find out about what brings them to the event. 

 

Take a break 

Party conferences can be overwhelming. So, if you feel like everything is getting to be a bit much, don’t forget (or feel ashamed) about taking a break when you need to. Sometimes taking a step back for a moment is exactly what you need, and you can jump back in feeling refreshed and ready for the rest of the day. 

At ACC Liverpool for example, we have dedicated quiet spaces away from the main concourse for people to take a break from the hustle and bustle of a big event – like the Labour Party Annual Conference. Or, you can head outside and take a walk along the iconic Liverpool docks to reset between events. 

Taking a break can not only stop you from becoming overwhelmed, but you can explore more of our wonderful city on your way. Waterfront highlights include the Three Graces of the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building, and the Port of Liverpool Building on the Pier Head; the Beatles statue; several Lambananas; and so much more.  

Top tip: looking for some fresh air? Take a short walk from the ACC Liverpool campus into Liverpool One with a coffee and sit down on the grass at Chavasse Park, a five-acre green space in the heart of the city. 

 

Enjoy it 

Perhaps the most important thing we can tell you, you should always remember to enjoy your party conference experience. Yes, there is work involved, but this should be a valuable and fun experience for everyone involved.  

Fill your time with meeting other members, learning new things, and attending fringe events, and always try to go into each day of the party conference with an open mind and a positive attitude. 

 

After the party conference 

Typical party conferences are spread out over a few days to allow people to make the most of their time there. But, there are some things you should do after the event finishes to help you make the absolute most of the opportunity. 

 

Follow up with people 

You’ll have met a lot of people over the days of your party conference, and learnt a lot of information in a short space of time. Once the event is over, make sure to take some time to organise this information and write down any pertinent facts you want to remember. 

Part of this should also involve following up with the people you’ve met over the past several days. For starters, this is the polite thing to do – especially after an action-packed event such as a party conference. 

But, if you’re aiming to maintain a professional relationship or friendship with the people you’ve met at the conference, following up allows you to continue the conversation after the event ends. 

 

Explore the city 

As we said above, the majority of party conferences tend to last for around three to four days. To really make the most of your experience, why not add on a day or two to explore the city setting of the conference? If you’re visiting a city for a party conference, this is the perfect opportunity to see more of the local area and take some time to relax before heading back home. 

For example, we may be biassed, but it’s pretty easy to Fall in Love with Liverpool – which is why we encourage all attendees of the Labour Party Annual Conference to take some time to discover their new favourite thing about our city. 

If you’re looking for some peace and green space, head a little out of the city centre up to the Grade I listed Sefton Park. From there, it’s an easy 10 minute walk over to Lark Lane, the home of several independent restaurants, cafes, and businesses. Interested in finding out more? Explore our checklist of Sustainable Activities in the region. 

Or, wander up the iconic Bold Street to see St Luke’s Bombed Out Church – and find plenty of restaurants and shops, including the community owned bookshop called News From Nowhere. 

Top tip: finding small, locally-owned businesses in Liverpool is easy – explore our guide to Independent Liverpool Hidden Gems for a range of great places to visit within the city region.  

 

Calling all first time party conference attendees 

Hopefully you’ve found this guide useful, and can think of several ways to make the most of your time at your party conference. But, for even more reassurance, we have some last-minute extra tips for any first time party conference attendees. 

• Try to relax: this isn’t a test or a competition, so try to relax and take in the experience. Yes, you should pay attention to what’s happening, but don’t get so wrapped up in the events that you lose any enjoyment. 

• Don’t spread yourself too thin: there are going to be a lot of speeches, talks, and fringe events for you to attend, let alone meet and greets and networking events. So, make sure you don’t spread yourself too thin trying to do everything at once. Instead, prioritise what’s most important and focus on getting the most from these sessions. 
• Ask questions: questions are how you learn. If you’re unsure about anything, ask for help from venue staff, or even other attendees if you’re confused. 

Whether you’re attending the Labour Party Annual Conference at ACC Liverpool, or other events around the country, we hope these tips will help you make the most of your experience (first-timer or veteran party conference attendee alike). 

 

ACC Liverpool to host the Labour Party Annual Conference once more 

The Labour Party Annual Conference comes to Liverpool once again, hosted by our fantastic multi-campus set up – with ACC Liverpool right at the heart of the action. Explore online to find out more about Travelling Here, or check out our Delegate Services for more assistance and information about arriving for the Labour Party Annual Conference. 

 

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