Rain or Shine, You’ll Be Fine: AALL Portland Tips for First-Timers

As I’ve been preparing to attend the 2025 AALL Annual Meeting in Portland in a few weeks, I’ve been thinking about my first annual meeting, 17 years ago in the same city. I had just graduated from library school, I was interviewing for jobs, and it all felt like a lot. What do I wish I had known then?

Here are my top three pieces of advice to my past self, and anyone new to conference attendance:

1. Take breaks. Even as an extrovert, conferencing is a lot. Between sessions, the exhibit hall, networking at meals, and happy hour, you’ll be exhausted. It’s okay to skip something to recharge.
2. Be social. This might seem counterintuitive to suggestion #1, but some of the best parts of the conference happen outside of the convention hall. Go to the SIS and Chapter-sponsored networking events. Accept vendor invitations to drinks. Meet someone new for coffee or lunch. You never know who you’ll meet and how that person will affect your future career.
3. Be intellectually curious. One of my favorite parts of the exhibit hall is talking to vendors who have nothing to do with my areas of expertise, or attending sessions that are outside the scope of my job. This expands my horizons and ultimately benefits me in my current role, as these interactions require me to ask focused questions and pay close attention.

   

I asked a few other law librarians for their advice to new(er) librarians and what makes a great conference experience.

• “If you feel you need a break from larger groups, schedule a meal with one or two colleagues. It’s a great way to recharge while still making meaningful connections.” – Susan Azyndar, Senior Associate Director, Kresge Law Library, University of Notre Dame Law School
• “Here are a few introvert tips:
  Take advantage of mentor programs. Ask them to walk the vendor floor with you; you’ll definitely meet people just from walking around with them.
  Book some meetings (for coffee, lunch, etc.) ahead of time with someone you already know, or someone you want to get to know.
  Don’t feel obligated to be social all the time – doing meals on your own is ok too.” – Rebecca Fordon, Law Librarian and Assistant Professor of Practice, Moritz Law Library, The Ohio State University
• “Push your comfort zone and make it a point to meet three new people from different backgrounds (academic, government, firm) as well as geographical locales. Make sure you have a current LinkedIn profile and reach out to the new people you meet and make connections virtually. But also build a little fun time in for yourself and see the sights while in Portland. Make sure you hydrate and practice some self-care.” – Brian Huffman, Electronic Services Librarian, Richardson School of Law Library, University of Hawaii
• “My advice is to plan ahead. Set a schedule of the programs and roundtables, as well as SIS, Chapter, and Caucus events you want to attend. Make sure to schedule time to spend on the Exhibit Floor! You will likely find that you need to adapt the schedule, but you need a plan. Also, try to arrive rested; it is a busy few days.” – Darla Jackson, Faculty Services and Outreach Librarian, University of Oklahoma College of Law Library
• “Visit the Activities Area in the Exhibit Hall for an introvert-friendly way to learn more about the types of groups within AALL and what they’ve been up to recently. When waiting for a program to start, introduce yourself to the people next to you or at your table. It’s a low-key way to meet someone new, and you may end up putting at ease an even newer conference attendee.” – Geraldine Kalim, Reference and Instructional Services Librarian, University of Baltimore Law Library
• “I advise newer law librarians attending AALL to participate in the ‘extra’ events at the conference, even if alone. I have formed decades-long friendships with librarians I have met at receptions, on bus rides and shared walks, and during sponsored tours. We all have a lot in common and are great resources to each other in times of need.” – Tawnya Plumb, Director, George W. Hopper Law Library, University of Wyoming College of Law

My final piece of advice: if you find small talk difficult, bring a book with you to the conference and let it be the conversation starter.