Conference season is here—and whether you’re prepping for ASCO, ESMO, or MAPS (Patrina and Tom are attending, stop by and say hi!), now’s the time to fine-tune your strategy.
In Edition 3 of the Medical Affairs Spotlight Newsletter, we’re diving into practical, high-impact ways to prepare for conferences—so you can maximize every conversation, every connection, and every insight. From planning tools to productivity hacks, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s what’s inside:
→ Tom’s Takeaways: The Conference Prep Tips Every MSL Needs to Hear
→ Featured Blog: What Happened When I Let AI Plan My Conference?
→ Resource Corner: The Simple Tool That Will Transform Your Conference Networking
→ Expert Recommendation: The Unexpected Conference Hack That Will Boost Your Networking Game
→ Poll Results: The #1 Way MSLs Add Value at Medical Congresses (According to Your Peers)
Stay ahead, embrace AI, and make your next conference your most productive yet!
MSL Talk Podcast: "Type of Conferences MSLs Attend & How To Prepare"
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In this episode of MSL Talk Podcast, Tom dives into the different types of conferences MSLs attend and how to prepare effectively. Alongside George Limen, Medical Liaison at Novo Nordisk, they share insights on how MSLs can maximize their impact before, during, and after conferences.
Here are Tom’s biggest takeaways that didn’t make it into the episode:
1️⃣ Pre-conference prep is everything. Effective planning before the event—researching attendees, setting goals, and scheduling key meetings—can make a bigger impact than the conference itself.
2️⃣ Tailor your approach to the conference type. Whether it’s a scientific congress, internal meeting, or industry event, your level of involvement and participation will vary. Adapt accordingly.
3️⃣ Conferences offer rare facetime with elusive KOLs. Use this opportunity strategically to connect with hard-to-reach experts you wouldn’t easily meet elsewhere.
4️⃣ Post-conference follow-up is non-negotiable. Don’t let valuable connections fade—schedule time in advance to follow up with personalized messages and continue the conversation.
💡 Want to sharpen your conference game? Tune in to the full episode for more insights! 🎧
Featured Blog Post: "I Let AI Plan My Conference — Here's What Happened"
In this blog post, Patrina Pellett shares her experience of letting AI plan her medical conference, exploring the possibilities and limitations of using AI for event preparation. The truth? While AI can handle logistics and optimize schedules, it can’t replace the human touch when it comes to strategic decision-making and meaningful interactions.
Patrina walks you through her AI-powered conference planning experiment, offering insights on how you can use AI to streamline your process, reduce stress, and focus on high-impact activities.
🔗 Read the full blog post and discover how AI can transform your conference planning! 👇
Read the Full Post Now - Click Here
Resource Corner: Business Card Organizer (Get Yours Now!)
Networking at conferences doesn’t end with the handshake—it’s all about the follow-up. This simple yet powerful tool helps you keep track of every connection you make:
✅ Business card organizer with a notes section – Jot down key details immediately after conversations, so you never forget who you met.
✅ Enhance your follow-ups – Use personalized notes to send thoughtful messages that stand out.
✅ Build lasting relationships – Turn brief introductions into meaningful, long-term connections.
Get the Business Card Organizer and Level Up Your Networking Game!
Expert Recommendation: The Coffee Station Networking Hack
Networking at conferences isn’t just about who you meet—it’s about where you meet them. And the best place to spark meaningful conversations? By the coffee station or bar.
If you’ve been lingering by the door or wandering aimlessly, it’s time to rethink your strategy. Positioning yourself in high-traffic, low-pressure spots makes it easier to strike up genuine conversations.
Here’s why it works:
✅ People linger longer – Grabbing coffee or a drink creates a natural pause, making people more open to chatting.
✅ It feels more casual – Conversations by the bar or coffee station feel less forced, creating authentic connections.
✅ You avoid the crowd shuffle – Standing by the door means people are rushing in or out, not looking to engage.
💡 Pro tip: Next time you’re at a conference, skip the doorway. Plant yourself near the coffee creamer or the bar—you’ll be surprised how many quality connections you’ll make over a casual sip. ☕🍸
Poll Results: How MSLs Provide the Most Value at Medical Congresses
In a recent poll, we asked: How can MSLs provide the most value during and post Medical Congresses? The results are in, and the top choice might surprise you:
✅ Post-meeting slide run-throughs took the lead with 44%, highlighting how impactful it is to reinforce key insights immediately after the event.
✅ Post-meeting written summaries came in second at 30%, proving that clear, concise documentation is still highly valued.
✅ Daily onsite debriefs (22%) and Other (4%) rounded out the list, showing that while frequent check-ins are useful, they’re not the top priority.
💡 Key takeaway: MSLs add the most value by ensuring cross-functional colleages have a clear, organized recap of the data presented—making post-meeting slide reviews a powerful engagement tool.
👉 Want to be part of the conversation? Connect with us for more insights and weekly polls!
That’s it for Edition 3 of the Medical Affairs Spotlight Newsletter!
Which conference networking or productivity tip are you most excited to try? Hit reply and let us know!
See you next Friday!
Your MSL Mastery team,
Sarah, Patrina, Tom, and Ralph
📅 P.S. Want to sharpen your conference strategy? Schedule a live workshop with us here!
📩 P.S.S. Don’t forget to grab your business card organizer—it’s a game-changer for building lasting KOL relationships!
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