By: Siddharth Srinivasan
Being a new delegate at your first Youth and Government Conference can be nerve-wracking, from navigating the large convention center to understanding parliamentary procedure, or “Parli Pro.” However, a little preparation can go a long way. Here are a few tips for your first time at conference.
1: Build your personal schedule in Guidebook.
In Guidebook, you can create a personalized schedule for each day of conference based on the program sessions you will be attending. For example, legislative members can select the chambers in which they will present and debate their bills, while members of the Court of Appeals can select the courtroom they will present in.\
After building your schedule, you can set the app to send reminders ahead of each event to ensure that you arrive on time for every session. Staying organized and knowing where you need to be can help reduce stress and set you up for a successful conference.
2: Bring extra money for lunch.
Each day of conference, breakfast and dinner will be provided for free, with the exception of Thursday night dinner. Lunch on Friday and Saturday, however, will need to be purchased on your own. Options include food trucks near the hotels and the convention center, as well as restaurants just down the street. Be sure to bring enough money to cover both meals.
3: Pack enough Business Professional clothing.
During program sessions at conference, delegates are expected to dress in business professional attire. This includes suits or blazers, collared shirts or blouses, dress pants or knee-length skirts, and dress shoes. You will need about four sets of business professional clothing– one for each day that program sessions occur. In addition, semi-formal attire is recommended for the Governors Gala on Saturday evening. Having enough professional clothing is essential for fully participating in conference sessions.
With these tips in mind, you will be prepared to navigate conference with confidence and focus on making the most of your YAG experience. We can't wait to see you at this year's conference!
