You’ve got to love conferences. These international assemblages of networking nerds, passionate practitioners, and stealthy salespeople are touted as crucial components of a well-crafted career in academia. And that may be true; however, we must also acknowledge the elephant in the exhibition hall.
Conferences are awkward.
Today, I am going to talk about one solution to making conferences less awkward.
Bring a baby.
Yep- you read that right. Bring a B-A-B — here’s Y:
Bringing a baby to a conference can be a valuable experience for both you and your child. Babies make you popular and help you create an impactful impression. Additionally, conferences are an awesome opportunity to make memories with your kiddo.
Popularity.
One of the main benefits of bringing a baby to a conference is that it can help you stand out from the sea of semi-enthusiastic faces. Babies, natural charmers that they are, can open new conversation opportunities. People are drawn to babies and often want to interact with them, especially those conference-goers who have left their own babies at home. When I brought my 5-month-old kiddo to a conference, many attendees struck up a conversation with me simply because I had a cute little munchkin attached to me. By the end of the conference, I had spoken to at least double the people I would have spoken to without her.
First Impressions.
Additionally, bringing a baby to a scientific conference can help you be more memorable. People are more likely to remember you and your work if they’ve had a positive interaction with you, and having a bubbly, babbling baby with you can create that positive experience. This can be especially beneficial if you’re trying to make an impact in your field or if you’re seeking opportunities for collaboration. When my daughter and I were strolling around the conference town in the evenings, it was obvious that people remembered us from the conference more often than I remembered them.
Bonding.
Finally, bringing a baby to a conference can provide a unique opportunity for bonding and making new memories with your little one. Flying or driving with your kiddo to a conference gives the two of you the chance to explore a new place and get to know each other better.
Sure, there were some hiccups (and spit-ups, and diapers, and sleepy baby moments) along the way, but I am glad that my daughter was my conference date. She made the conference more enjoyable and far less awkward. I had no time to feel awkward when I had a baby to take care of Moreover, she made us popular, she made a lasting first impression, and we had a fun week bonding together.
