How to Set Clear Goals for Attending the Conference
Attending the 2019 BYU Management Society Asia Pacific Conference in Mongolia can be more valuable when you arrive with a clear purpose. A defined conference goal helps you choose relevant sessions, prepare useful questions, and judge whether the event delivered meaningful results.
The “Believe & Achieve” theme connects business learning with practical action. Whether your interests include entrepreneurship, leadership, investment, or regional networking, planning ahead can turn a busy schedule into a focused professional experience.
Define the result you want
Begin by writing one primary outcome for your attendance. You may want to identify a business mentor, improve your understanding of Asian markets, develop a competition idea, or build relationships with potential partners. A specific result gives your participation direction.
Then add two or three supporting objectives. For example, an attendee might aim to meet five business contacts, attend three sessions related to growth strategy, and leave with a refined plan for entering a new market. These targets are easier to track than a general intention to “learn more.”
Your goals should be realistic for the length of the conference. A short list encourages deeper engagement, while too many ambitions can lead to rushed conversations and missed opportunities.
Match goals to the program
Review the conference schedule before travelling. Identify keynote speakers, breakout sessions, competition activities, and networking periods that relate to your objectives. Mark alternatives as well, since popular sessions or unexpected conversations may change your plans.
If your goal is entrepreneurship, prioritize activities connected with the “Believe & Achieve” business plan competition. If leadership development is more important, select sessions where experienced executives can offer practical examples. Participants who are travelling from another chapter can also study regional resources, such as the information available through the Philippines chapter, to understand the wider Asia-Pacific network.
Prepare one useful question for each selected session. A thoughtful question can help you engage with speakers, clarify a complex point, and create a natural opening for further discussion after the presentation.
Prepare measurable networking targets
Networking becomes more productive when you define the type of people you need to meet. Consider entrepreneurs, investors, chapter leaders, educators, or professionals working in industries relevant to your plans. This focus makes it easier to recognize valuable connections during receptions and informal conversations.
Set a modest contact target that encourages quality rather than quantity. Five meaningful conversations may produce more value than twenty brief exchanges. Before the event, prepare a concise explanation of your interests, current work, and the reason you are attending.
| Conference goal | Preparation before arrival | Evidence of progress |
|---|---|---|
| Learn a market strategy | Select relevant sessions and research speakers | Notes on three practical ideas |
| Build professional relationships | Prepare an introduction and target contacts | Five purposeful conversations |
| Improve a business plan | Review the competition criteria and draft questions | Specific revisions after feedback |
| Find a mentor or adviser | Define the expertise you need | One follow-up meeting arranged |
| Expand chapter connections | Learn about regional chapters and delegates | New contacts across two locations |
Create a simple learning plan
A learning goal should describe what you intend to understand or apply. Instead of writing “attend leadership sessions,” write “identify two methods for improving team accountability and adapt one for my organization.” This wording makes the goal more useful after the conference ends.
Bring a notebook or digital document divided into three areas: important ideas, people to contact, and actions to take. Record examples, statistics, and recommendations while they are fresh. Capture the speaker’s name and the session title so that your notes remain useful later.
Leave space in your schedule for reflection. A few quiet minutes between sessions can help you compare new information with your current work and decide which ideas deserve immediate attention.
Prepare for the business plan competition
Those attending the “Believe & Achieve” competition should treat the event as a milestone in a longer development process. Review the competition phases, award categories, judging expectations, and available prizes. Understanding the criteria can help you shape a stronger presentation and use feedback effectively.
Set specific objectives for your entry. These could include validating a customer problem, improving financial projections, clarifying the value proposition, or practicing a persuasive pitch. Each goal should connect to a part of the business plan that can be strengthened during the conference.
Ask for feedback that is precise enough to act on. Rather than seeking general approval, request comments about market size, pricing, operations, risk, or presentation clarity. Useful feedback gives you a clear next step after returning home.
Turn the schedule into an action plan
A practical attendance plan should include preparation, participation, and follow-up. Before travelling, complete your research and prepare materials. During the conference, collect insights and make connections. Afterward, convert the best ideas into scheduled actions.
Use this checklist to keep your objectives visible:
- Write one primary outcome and up to three supporting goals.
- Select sessions that directly support those goals.
- Prepare a short professional introduction and several relevant questions.
- Record contact details alongside the reason each connection matters.
- Schedule follow-up tasks within one week of returning home.
A goal is stronger when it includes a deadline. “Contact the potential mentor” is less effective than “send a message and request a meeting within five days.” Small deadlines protect useful intentions from being lost in regular work demands.
Measure value after the event
Evaluate your conference experience against the outcomes you defined before arrival. Count completed conversations, useful sessions, actionable ideas, and follow-up meetings rather than relying only on general impressions. This review can show which activities produced the greatest professional value.
Write a short post-conference summary while your memories are clear. Include the most important lesson, the strongest new relationship, one business or career opportunity, and the next action you will take. Sharing this summary with your chapter or colleagues can extend the benefit to others.
Clear goals make every part of the conference more intentional, from choosing accommodation and travel arrangements to participating in breakout discussions and meeting delegates. Prepare your objectives now, bring them with you to Mongolia, and use the conference as a starting point for measurable progress.