Last Saturday, May 2, 2026, I was a panel member on the MiSinC webinar discussing “How to Kill it at a Conference.” Alia Neaton was our moderator (she did a great job), and the other panel members were: Dianne Freeman, Elizabeth Haines, Cheryl Smith, and Suja Sukamar.  Each panel member was introduced, then Alia asked each of us a question regarding the conferences we have attended and why. I don’t remember all of the conferences mentioned, but Bouchercon, Left Coast Crime, Colorado Gold, Killer Nashville, Sleuthfest, and Mid-West Writers Conference,were mentioned.

Once each panelist answered the individual questions, Alia presented a variety of questions ranging from why we chose certain conferences to attend, what we gained from attending, and how best to benefit from attending. 

Volunteer” was one answer, even if you’re not published. Besides panelists, conferences need people to work the sign-in desk, to moderate panels, help with autographing sessions, and many other behind the scene jobs. And don’t feel you need to be asked to be a panelist. Most conferences, prior to the conference, will have a form you can fill out suggesting a topic or topics you feel you could talk about.

One benefit of being on a panel and/or volunteering is attendees will see your name and picture in the conference brochure, which may help sell your books or garner invitations to speak at other conferences. All of us said we made friends at conferences. I’ve made several, and in one case, that friend helped me (and my husband), years later. (Thank you Sharon Hopkins.)

As the end of the webinar we were asked which conference we liked the best. Most of us said Sleuthfest.  When I was spending my winters in Florida, Sleuthfest was a close conference for me to attend, so I went to several. Each was wonderful. That said, I’ve enjoyed all of the conferences I’ve attended. I always felt I learned something.

An audio recording of the webinar is supposed to be available. I haven’t heard anything yet, but if I do, I’ll add it to this blog.

*Behind the scene webinar workers were Theresa, Kristen, and Linda.