The Countdown to Summit 2026 is ON!

So excited!!!

Kicking it off here with my top tips from the past four years of Summit! 
 

1. Step outside your comfort zone! It’s natural to gravitate toward familiar industries or peers, but Summit is the perfect opportunity to try something new. Attend a session outside your usual focus or start a conversation with someone new, you never know what insights or connections you might discover. 
2. Don’t overdo it! With keynotes, workshops, and sessions running from morning through evening, the schedule can fill up quickly. Take a break when you need one,  stop by the mCommunity lounge to recharge, organize your notes, and reset before jumping back in. You’ll want plenty of energy to enjoy the Day 1 happy hour! 
3. Ask questions! The mCommunity team will be there to help every step of the way. Whether you need an introduction, directions, or just a friendly face to chat with, we’re here for you. 😀

Looking forward to seeing everyone there! 

So excited for everyone going for the first time, Summit is such a fun (and busy!) few days 🙌

My go-to tips:

• Comfortable shoes are a must — trust me on this one 😅

• Find your go-to coffee/water spots early so you’re not scrambling between sessions

• Follow the energy — some of the best networking happens in the in-between spaces, not just scheduled events

• Stay curious — chat with new people, even outside your usual circle

Don’t forget to stop by the mCommunity Lounge where you can get any question answered and feel right at home. It’s a great mix of learning + connecting so lean into both! 😊

So excited for this year’s Summit! My first tip(s) builds off ​@Zach_Lepard:

• Sit next to someone you don’t know at least once - it’s the easiest way to meet people without overthinking it. 
• Don’t save networking for “networking time.” The best convos happen in coffee lines, hallways, etc 

A few more worth mentioning are

• Capture insights as you go. You’ll hear a lot of great ideas. Jot down quick notes or takeaways throughout or after each session so they don’t get lost by the end of the day.
• Follow up in real time. If you’ve meet someone interesting, connect with them on LinkedIn or send a message right away. A quick “great to meet you” can go a long way while the conversation is still fresh.

Oh… and like ​@Cris Rice said, wear comfortable shoes! Take it from me who thought Summit 2025 was the best time to break in a new pair of sneakers 😉

I was too excited reading this, and I forgot to include my tips & tricks for SUMMIT! This will be my fourth Meltwater SUMMIT, and these are the things I’ve learned from the other three:

1. Keep and open mind.
   It’s really easy to incorrectly assume that a session will not be relevant to you or your workflow. However, if the voice in the back of your head or if your gut is telling you, “this may be interesting,” you should absolutely check that session out!
2. How to choose between multiple sessions happening at the same time.
   It can be a bit of a Sophie’s choice when multiple sessions of interest happen at the same time. If you find yourself in that scenario, reach out to the Meltwater team to see if any of your options will be recorded for On Demand streaming for SUMMIT attendees. If one is being recorded, prioritize the one(s) that aren’t being recorded. If none of them are being recorded, communicate with your peers. Ask if any one will share notes. Volunteer to share your session notes in exchange.
3. Balancing NYC’s touristy offerings with SUMMIT.
   You’re in NYC. There’s shows, museums, restaurants, and so much more that will be fighting for your attention. You should totally allow yourself to have fun while you are here. Use these boards to connect with other attendees to see who may be going to see shows, see the museums, try restaurants, etc. that you are considering. You just might make a new friend and have fun while doing it too.
4. Network, network, network…
   I know you all see me posting here all the time. But, I’m actually an introvert and shy in person. It can be hard for me to introduce myself to people at events like SUMMIT. But the networking opportunities are so valuable. Take advantage of them. Don’t be afraid to initiate a conversation. You never know what may come of it.
5. Take advantage of the fun bits of programming baked into SUMMIT.
   The Meltwater team will have really fun activities that will enhance your experience. Last year I did feel a little silly completing the “treasure hunt”-like activity; however, by giving in to the whimsy of that, it allowed me to have fun while also making connections with other attendees and vendors. The experience was well worth it, especially since it guided me out of my comfort zone in a tangible and worthwhile way. 
6. Take breaks as needed.
   SUMMIT is a lot. It’s easy to fill up your schedule and find yourself moving from session to session. But the amount of quality information you’ll be receiving can also wear you out a bit. If you find yourself feeling that you need to “skip class” and take a break, do so! You can always find a way to connect with a presenter (the Meltwater SUMMIT app usually is a great place to start with this) and/or someone who attended a session and request a summary or some notes.
7. Navigating SWAG lines.
   The vendors all offer great swag in exchange for a bit of your attention. Sometimes these lines can seem rather long. In my experience, they all move pretty quickly. So, feel free to wait it out. However, also understand that the vendors know how many attendees there will be at SUMMIT, and they will have prepared their offerings accordingly. So, if a line seems too long, skip it and come back later. You’ll likely still be able to get whatever cool swag everyone was waiting for.

Four Summits in and I am somehow still just as excited as I was the first time. Honestly, I think it is because no matter how many times you do this, getting to finally meet the people you have been talking to in community IRL never loses its magic.

Here is what I would tell anyone heading to their first or fourth Summit:

Wear comfortable shoes. We are all saying it because we have all learned the hard way. Listen to us. 😄

If you are nervous about not knowing anyone, come to the community breakfast Tuesday morning. You can grab your badge with us and skip the registration line, meet the mCommunity team, and connect with other attendees before the day even kicks off. By the time sessions start, you will already have people to look for in the crowd. It makes the whole experience feel different.

Think about what you want to bring back to your team. We have 10 workshops this year, and if you take the exam at the end of each one, you earn a LinkedIn certification. That is something concrete you can point to when you get home — not just "I attended a conference" but actual credentials that show the value of being there.

And please, stop by the mCommunity Lounge. Grab your swag, take a breath, and meet some of the people who make this community what it is. Some of my favorite Summit conversations have happened right there and we have snacks through out the day.  

Cannot wait to see everyone! 🙌