A well organized meeting

The best way to organize/participate at periodic laboratory meetings as requested by ISO/IEN 17025:2005 or conferences, seminars.

1. Sit at the front during talks: Even if this is not your style, this will help you feel more involved in the task.
2. Take copious notes: Whether you need them or not, taking notes during presentations helps focus the mind.
3. Rate all speakers for content and presentation: This is a way to keep yourself alert as well as help yourself think critically about talk’s content. For the best presentations, it will also give you notes about style or techniques into your next talk.
4. Break away: People tend to attend conferences with colleagues, co-workers and friends. During talks and meal times, try and sit with people you don’t know. You are bond to learn something new, whether it is about work in your field, how other institutions function, or how different people approach questions  relevant to your work.
5. Be excited about your laboratory science: If you are excited about your laboratory science, other will feed off of that excitement. Whether it is during a formal talk, a panel discussion, a poster session or just talking to people in the hallways, keep in mind that you are selling your science. Also remember that everyone is being bombarded with talk and research: the enthusiasm you muster will go a long way to getting people’s attention. 
6. Size matters: Small meetings often have a single mindedness  about a particular subject that can benefit all participants. There are likely to be fewer competing sessions at small meetings, and you can probably actually meet the speakers, instead of stand in line.