Pro Tip: Preparation Is Key to Our Accelerate Success

By Cheryl Huff | Posted: 3/21/2019

It’s safe to say that when it comes to Accelerate, powered by NetVU, I know a thing or two. I’ve been to 26 of NetVU’s conferences, and even though the name has changed over the years, all the elements that make this conference great are still there and just keep getting better. If you’re wondering how to get the most out of it, here are my top three tips to make sure you excel at Accelerate:

Sit Down with the Schedule
There is so much to do and see at Accelerate, and you’ll want to make sure to take advantage of it all. From education sessions, chapter meet-ups, the exhibit hall, and dinner with friends, there’s a lot to do. That’s why I plan a meeting with other staff who are attending the conference to go through the entire Accelerate schedule and make a plan. With so many education sessions, it’s essential for us to find ways to divide and conquer to make sure we’re taking full advantage of everything offered. When we all sit down together, we determine who will go to which classes and when we’ll meet up to talk about what we’ve learned. We are able to accomplish our conference goals and still make room for some fun!

Get the Whole Office Involved
Everyone in the office touches a different part of your management system and tech solutions. And while everyone wants to go to Accelerate, someone will need to stay behind to serve customers. That’s why it’s critical to work with all staff members to understand their needs. Before I leave for Accelerate, I like to send an email to everyone in the office asking for feedback on their struggles, system pain points, and questions they have for Vertafore. I write all of these down and then check the education sessions to see which ones I can attend that will allow me to address my coworkers’ issues. I also make sure to schedule plenty of time in the Vertafore TechHub, so I can work directly with Vertafore experts to get our questions answered. It’s a great feeling to come back to the office with knowledge that really makes a difference for my coworkers.

Sign Up to Volunteer
Even if you’re brand new to Accelerate, you’ll definitely want to volunteer. Education sessions are incredibly important, but there’s a lot you can learn from others outside of class too. Volunteering will give you the opportunity to meet new people and build your learning network. There are a lot of ways to volunteer, but my favorite is at the registration counter. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I’m a bit of a social butterfly. I love being at the registration counter because it allows me to greet attendees as they grab their badges and chat about all the exciting things happening at Accelerate. I’ve made great friends over the years by volunteering, and I’m sure you will too. No matter what you’re interested in, there’s a volunteer opportunity for you. Before you arrive at Accelerate, be sure to check out all of the volunteer options and sign up.

I’m counting down the days until May and can’t wait to see you all in Cincinnati for Accelerate. If you see me at the registration desk, be sure to say, “Hello!”

Blog contributor Cheryl Huff serves as the CFO at Chastain and Associates and is a long-time NetVU volunteer. In addition to serving as a chapter leader in the Georgia Users Group, Cheryl has also served on several key NetVU committees. She continues to make her mark on NetVU by always providing helpful insights and a smile to the community as a whole. In 2017, Cheryl received the prestigious NetVU Hospitality Award for all of her many contributions to the organization over the years. Learn more about Cheryl and say hello on the NetVU Community.