Going to knowledge26? stuff I wish someone told me before K25
Saw a bunch of people in the comments saying it's their first time. Wrote this for you guys.
Book the labs early. Like before you even book your flight early. I missed two I actually wanted because I thought I'd sort it out when I got there. You won't.
Don't try to see everything. I had my whole schedule mapped out and ditched half of it by day two. Just pick a theme and go deep on that, you'll retain something actually useful.
The hallway conversations are not a cliche. They're genuinely better than sitting in a packed session watching someone read off slides. Talk to people in the lunch line, at the coffee spots, everywhere.
Stay where other attendees are staying if you can. The impromptu dinners and lobby conversations after hours are lowkey the best part of the whole thing.
Don't skip the side events thinking they're just networking fluff. I almost did. Would've missed some of the most useful conversations I had all week.
Come with actual problems. Not "I want to learn about AI." Specific things your org is stuck on. You will get so much more out of every conversation.
And download the app and sort your schedule before you land. Figuring it out on day one while also trying to navigate the venue is a mess.
That's honestly it. K25 was great but I left knowing I could've gotten way more out of it. Hopefully this saves someone the same feeling.
Anyone else have stuff to add?