First of all, it may go without saying, but IAITAM ACE is one of the best conferences in the country, if not the best to attend if you are an ITAD or ITAM practitioner. Whether you are in house or a provider, IAITAM is bursting with the latest and greatest innovations and anticipated breakthroughs revolutionizing the ITAD industry. Great ideas are born, strong connections are forged and long term relationships between vendors and clients often spark here. Oh, and this year there will be Tiki. What more could an ITAD pro ask for? We can’t think of much.

The IAITAM ACE Conference is a quick conference so making the best use of your time is paramount. Here are our pro tips:

• Don’t miss the opening party on Monday night. See entire schedule here. The Monday night kickoff party is bursting with energy as everyone celebrates the beginning of another IAITAM ACE Conference. You won’t want to miss the entertainment, food, drinks and networking. The theme is Tiki party, and every year attendees tend to dress in theme. But, if you’re not in the mood you can count on the fact that costume extras will be available from Conference organizers. (They’re the best!)
• Make restaurant reservations ahead of time. While the conference food is excellent, you may be hungry at odd times of the day or want to skip the formal conference meals. Perhaps you’ll want to invite someone to a networking lunch, for example. Because the conference is within the M Resort and far from the Vegas strip, it’s best to make reservations ahead of time. Here is a handy guide listing every restaurant inside of the M Resort. If you’re keeping it casual, we recommend Raiders Tavern and Grill. If you’re wanting a more formal experience check out Anthony’s Prime Steak and Seafood.
• Network with One Another Ahead of Time on LinkedIn: One of the best ways to kickstart your conference experience is by connecting with fellow attendees on LinkedIn before the event. Follow the #iaitam hashtag on LinkedIn to catch posts about the conference. Then engage and reach out to those joining the conversation in post comments. Also, this is a great time to reach out to whomever you have met in year’s past or people in the industry you would like to meet and find out if they plan on attending. Building connections prior to the conference can make it easier to strike up conversations and expand your professional network once you're there. Be sure to follow Sage on LinkedIn and stay tuned to our page for updates about the conference.
• Plan Your Schedule in Advance (or Not): With attendance numbers between 700-1000, depending on the year, there’s more of a go with the flow spirit at IAITAM’s ACE Conference than you may find at larger conferences. Depending on your personal preference you may want to just go with the flow. However, if you are interested in sessions, research them ahead of time. Understand who is leading the discussion and what their expertise is on the topic. Choose sessions that address your current challenges or open your mind to a new way of thinking. Be sure to leave time for yourself  throughout the day as well! We hear the M Resort Spa is not to be missed.
• Visit the Exhibit Fair & Reception:  If you’re hungry in the evenings or ready for an adult beverage, you’ll definitely want to head to the Exhibit Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 6:00PM-9:00PM. In addition to fun vendor booths (don’t miss ours!) you’ll find the Exhibit Fair also serves as the site of the evening reception party. With open bars and full buffets of dinner and dessert, you’ll feel right at home. Be sure to bring a bag for all of the swag you’ll gather from eager exhibiting vendors. Or, stop by the Sage Booth (#40) to pick up a free reusable bag from us you’re sure to love.
• Stay Active on Social Media: The IAITAM ACE crowd is most active on LinkedIn. Watch for updates from those attending the conference under the #IAITAM or #IAITAM24 hashtags. Social networking can be a powerful tool for staying connected and engaged during the conference. You can also follow conference organizers, speakers, and sponsors to stay updated on the latest news and announcements.
• Don’t miss the Workshops and Keynotes. The programming at IAITAM ACE is top notch. Speakers come from a wide range of backgrounds across the ITAD industry. The full conference schedule can be found here, as of this writing speaker time slots have not been announced. Stay tuned to find out when Sage Practice Advisory Director, Aaron Cramer is speaking. His talk will explore changing the stigma of your ITAD program from trash into treasure. Provocative, we know and we know you’ll love it (and Aaron).
• Take Notes and Follow Up: Like any conference, IAITAM ACE can be a whirlwind. You will be inundated with new information, solutions and thoughts to consider. So, take notes with key takeaways from the talks you attend, the networking engagements you enjoyed and the vendors/solutions you want to further explore. After the conference send follow ups via email and on LinkedIn to new contacts and thank you’s to speakers. Nurture these connections throughout the year to keep the conversation going and explore potential collaborations or opportunities.
• Follow the Sage Team and Connect with Us: The Sage team has been attending ACE for over a decade, so, please feel free to reach out and connect with us if it’s your first time attending or if you’d like to hang out while there. Find us all on LinkedIn: Carrie Large, Joe Sipl, Mina Izadi, Joe Kubina, Lisa Gunsauley, Aaron Cramer and, our CEO, Bob Houghton.

By following these top tips, you'll be well-equipped to navigate the IAITAM Ace Conference in 2024 and make the most of this valuable opportunity to learn, connect, and innovate. See you in Las Vegas.