EGU26 is almost over. The question is: Now what?
It is busy during the conference. Finding the way around the convention center, presenting work, learning what others are doing, back-to-back sessions, browsing eye-catching exhibits, not to forget the 20,000+ people to network with! It can feel exhausting, making me crave a still moment to chill from all that thrill. But when I finally walk out of the venue for the last time, I already miss the buzz. The friendly folks. The exciting encounters, whether those expected or the ones by chance. Here is what I do to keep the high for longer.
- I write down my ideas: The meeting is full of inspiration. But if I don’t mark it, everything that seems so clear now can get blurred, or may disappear altogether rather soon.
- I organize my contacts: If I’ve met someone I would like to stay in touch with, now is the time to ensure I can do that later. Maybe I didn’t exchange contact information on-site, but I can still find the author’s email if I recall the session’s name. Or perhaps, if I only wrote a first name and number, I make sure to write down more details while I still remember them.
- I take my time: Realizing those ideas won’t happen overnight. That’s fine. Once they are recorded, they can take a break. Likewise, writing a meaningful follow-up to a senior scientist I met for the first time might take a little while. In other words, a slow weekend after all that fast-paced action feels earned. Doing things right and doing them fast don’t always go together.
- I mark the next EGU General Assembly in the calendar: It will be in the same venue, from April 4 to April 9, 2027. Even if it might seem far from today, previous years have taught me something: it will feel like a few weeks, and I will be packing for Vienna again in less than a year. Once it’s in my calendar, I can start looking forward to it (and even book my accommodation and trains as soon as I can, because I know I am going!)
Additional actions:
- Fill out the EGU26 feedback form. It helps the EGU organisers refine and improve the conference every year.
- If you liked your EGU26 experience and would like to contribute to someone else’s good times next year, consider signing up for the EGU Peer Support program once EGU27 gets closer.
- Finally, if you are still in the city, you can prolong the excitement by checking out the brand-new EGU26 mural at Wargramer Strasse 61, Vienna:
EGU26 mural in the making, captured on May 7th afternoon. Source
What are your post-conference tricks? Feel free to share them in the comments!
