Two days from the IHAF Annual Conference & Awards Show and we’re putting the final touches on what promises to be an event filled with networking, knowledge sharing and celebration.

Although we’ve spent months plotting and planning, we know that the success of this event lies in the laps of our attendees. Not only are you encouraged to listen and learn from those at the mic, you’re urged to engage in conversation with one another. So, as you run through your mental checklist before joining us on Wednesday, consider the following to ensure you get the most out of our biggest event of the year.

Mix and Mingle. With over 300 in-house professionals around you, this is the time to break from familiar faces and meet some new ones. Set a goal: introduce yourself to five people you’ve never met and talk about a recent challenge your organization has faced. In your favorite (and most-comfortable) business-casual attire, make your way around the room and mingle with your peers.

Celebrate Creativity. Along with networking and learning at the conference itself, we hope you enjoy the IHAF Awards entries at our cocktail reception Wednesday evening. It’s quite simply the best way to visually benchmark your team’s work against others. And (we’ve been told), the IHAF Awards Show is one of the most fun-filled nights of the year!

Stay Connected. Distance yourself from work emails and texts, and dive into our event app Our app includes the conference agenda, session summaries and speaker bios, full list of attendees and sponsors, and more. Have your camera ready to capture those memorable moments, then post them on your social networks. Be sure to tag @ihaforum along with #IHAFConference and/or #IHAFAwards so we can spot your posts.

Meet the Sponsors. We’re grateful to have such a terrific lineup of event sponsors with us this year, who are not only invested in IHAF but in the in-house community as well. Take a moment to meet them and thank them for their generosity. Find out if there’s anything they can do to enable your team’s success. We heartily endorse their offerings and hope you will consider partnering with one or more on an upcoming assignment.

Start Early. Stay Late. Don’t miss a second of this year’s event—arrive a few minutes early so you can get your nametag and a choice seat at our networking lunch. (We’re sold out again this year, so it’ll be a full house!) On Thursday afternoon, we announce the In-House Agency of the Year award winner followed by our closing reception—stick around and kick back with your newfound friends.

With an inspiring mix of keynotes, interactive breakouts and choice networking, the IHAF Annual Conference & Awards Show is the premier networking and learning event for in-house agencies. We look forward to seeing you there!