I was invited to speak about this and four other topics at the Kajaani University of Applied Sciences in Finland. This lecture explains the importance of attending conferences and the best way to get to them. The topics covered in part 1 are: 1.40 Game conferences 2.00 How to get to conferences 6.30 My own story 9.30 Volunteer 10.10 Cover an event as press 11.15 Bluff it till you make it 12.00 Preparing for a game conference 12.10 Step 1: Organize getting a hostel with friends and peers 13.15 Step 2: The basics 16.00 Step 3: Don't go camping 16.30 Step 4: Do your research 18.10 Step 5: Networking (randomly) Topics covered in part 2 are: 0.00 Step 5: Network (randonmly) (continued) 1.00 Step 6: Fighting the conference dip 3.30 Step 7: In case you have a booth 4.30 Intermission 5.50 The Do's and Don'ts of networking, an autobiography 6.00 #1 Time your introductions 7.00 #2 Find a legitimate excuse to approach someone 9.00 #3 Don't take it personal 10.00 What about attending big game conventions? 13.00 Network your *ss off! 14.10 Start preparing for GDC Europe/Gamescom 15.00 Summary 17.00 Further reading

1. #firstdayatschool
Before I start
A quick test

2. #firstdayatschool
Before I start
Did you buy:
• A new game
• Lunch at the school cantine
• Beer or cigarettes

3. #firstdayatschool
Let’s do some math

4. #firstdayatschool
What’s the total amount?
• 0-100 euros
• 100-200 euros
• 200-500 euros
• 500+ euros

5. #conferences
Preparing for conferences
aka. “You don’t have to wear a suit to be taken
seriously.”

6. #starttalkingalready
Table of contents
• Who am I
• Getting into conferences
• Optimal preparation for a conference
• Handy tips & tricks
• Summary
• Questions?

7. #thatguy
Who am I?
This is a lecture by
Vlad Micu
Did freelance journalism, consulting, event management and
research under own company
VGVisionary.com
Used to be the European editor of
Gamesauce Magazine
Wrote for many other international outlets including
GMR magazine, Control Magazine, Bashers.nl,
Gamert.nl, CriticalGamer.co.uk, XBLAFans.com,
Game Mode Magazine
And now went Indie since April 3rd to work on
Snobli Run
This slide’s design is inspired by
Brandon Boyer @brandonnn

8. #gottagotoall
#davidvsgoliath
Conferences

9. #findyourgoldenticket
How to get there
• Volunteer
• Cover it for a game
website/outlet
• Send in a proposal for a talk
• Enter a game competition
• Get a booth
• Just pay
Remember: you’re investing in
yourself and your network

10. #letsmakeitpersonal
Why do the first three at least once?
Here’s my story

11. #lostalotofweight
From passion

12. #bluffittillyoumakeit
To career

13. #everyonediditonceintheirlife
Volunteer
Three words: behind the scenes

14. #youneedtoknowhowtowrite
Cover an event as press
“I guess if nothing else, being a part of the gaming press has allowed
me to draw from a nearly unlimited well of knowledge and inspiration
that I may have otherwise never had access to. “
– Chris Morris (Microsoft)

15. #theigfisastonethrowaway
Bluff it till you make it
Wish you were here - XOXO

16. #struggleforprofessionalism
Preparing for a conference
Don’t forget your utility belt!

17. #hostelsarefunandcheap
Step 1: Organize getting a hostel
with friends and peers

18. #firstdayatschool
Step 2: The basics
• Business cards
• Your resume
• Pack comfortable
clothing/shoes that makes
you look and feel good.
Your elevator pitch
• A demo/portfolio/trailer
on your
laptop/iPod/iPhone
• Sleep
Don’t forget your toothbrush

19. #dresstoimpress
Dress like who you want to be

20. #dontbealurker
Step 3: Don’t go camping
A conference is not just about talks

21. #preparingishalfthework
Step 4: Do your research
• Who do you want to
meet?
• Why?
• Plan meetings
• Make a posse (I’ll tell you
why later)
• Stay flexible

22. #rememberkevinbacon
Step 5: Network (randomly)
• Learn to spot badges
(without getting caught!)
• Approach random people
too!
• Don’t be insecure, believe
in yourself. They were in
your shoes once!
• Enjoy yourself.
Odds are that random person knows
someone who can help you.

23. #takeadeepbreath
Step 6: Fighting the conference dip
• You will feel overwhelmed
• You will feel lonely
• You will miss important
talks/parties/stuff/people
• You might have a lack of sleep
and nutrition.
• Fight that conference dip!
There’s always day 2

24. #skullsoftheshogun
(Step 7: In case you have a booth)
“Big things to keep in mind – register early to get
a good booth location, and keep in mind all
ancillary expenses like equipment rental,
shipping, promotional materials.”
- Borut Pfeifer (Haunted Temple Studios)

25. #makingfriendsisfun
Intermission
Read this book

26. #learnedmylessonthehardway
Do’s and Don’ts, an autobiography

27. #dontinterruptpeople
#1 Time your introductions
Centered dude is thinking:
“WTF I was just about to close an important
deal here!”

28. #stopstalkingtimschafer
#2 Find a legitimate excuse to
approach someone
Don’t act like a fanboy

29. #itsnotyouitsthem
#3 Don’t take it personal
Some people simply are jerks

30. #thefunnelisnotalie
But wait, what about a big game
convention?
• Of course! Why not?
• Meet the press
• Randomly meet big time AAA
developers
• Free market research
• Watch the pro’s do it
• Unlimited network opportunities

31. #wolfireisawesome
Network your *ss off
“While waiting in line just to get into E3, you may find yourself
standing next to the principle engine programmer for the Halo
team […]. Anyone you see holding a fancy looking camera is
probably affiliated with a major gaming news site, so go say
hello (I stalked as many as possible). […] Any afterparties you
can find are networking bonus rounds.”
- John Graham (Wolfire)

32. #thejaegerisreallycheapthere
Start preparing for GDC
Europe/Gamescom
NOW

33. #doallthesethings
Summary
• Do your research
• Make a list of goals
• Find your golden ticket and
start saving money
• Have a posse (or two)
• Get networking (like a boss)
• Fight the conference dip!
• Enjoy yourself
• Avoid becoming a socially

34. #readitall
References/Further Reading
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Most importantly:
http://www.gamecareerguide.com/features/492/the_gdc_survival_.php
http://www.gamecareerguide.com/features/446/faqs_for_college_students.php
http://www.gamecareerguide.com/features/784/winning_a_guide_to_finding_game_.php?pag
http://www.gamecareerguide.com/features/833/gdc_tips_for_.php
http://www.gamecareerguide.com/news/27362/pregdc_career_pavilion_hints__.php
http://blog.wolfire.com/2009/06/is-e3-useful-for-indie-developers/
http://www.wikihow.com/Network-at-a-Conference
http://entrepreneurs.about.com/b/2009/03/13/top-10-conference-networking-tips.htm
http://factoidz.com/how-to-get-a-press-pass-for-bloggers/
http://www.gdconf.com/attend/volunteer.html
http://www.gamecareerguide.com/features/295/so_you_want_to_be_a_games_.php
http://www.gamecareerguide.com/features/307/so_you_want_to_be_a_games_.php
http://gafferongames.com/2009/02/15/how-to-prepare-a-talk-for-gdc/
http://www.willcocks.co.uk/Introductions.htm
http://www.whattheydontteachyouatstanfordbusinessschool.com/work-a-conferencenotes.htm
http://skullsoftheshogun.com/?p=394

35. #imlonely
Contact me
• I’m in ur campus, working in ur Gamelabz
• Will be staying in the guest lecturer house at Talo 6 #F28.
Look me up there in the evening and let’s play some
beer pong.
• Mail me at v.micu@vgvisionary.com
• @vgvisionary
• Website: www.vgvisionary.com