However, it’s not just a case of turning up and hoping for the best. There are things you can do before, during and after to ensure that you get the most of the event. And, it’s important you do these things. You get much more for the experience if you do. Yes, you can of course still get a lot from the event if you only plan to turn up and listen to the great presentations and insights on offer, but there is much more to the FLP experience than just listening to presentations.

I have, therefore, with #FLPMontreal now less than one month away, decided to share my thoughts on what you need to do to get the most out of your FLP experience. As someone who has been to the event on several occasions, and as someone who has helped organise the programme, I’d like to think I have an inside track on these things. And, so, without further ado, here are my top five tips on how to get the most out of the FLP Congress:

1. Do the Prep Work

This should be a no-brainer. The focus of this year’s FLP Congress is disruptive change, so think about what disruptive change means to you and your organisation. There will be plenty of chances for you to share your thoughts on this topic, so come prepared. You can also log onto our member-only platform, the Knowledge Navigator, and access the ‘Future Leaders Congress 2013’ site. Here you will find all the information and documents about the Congress. This includes the on-site kit, speaker bios, participants list, and information on our design a supermarket competition, which includes a survey to get you thinking about what makes a great supermarket. This site will also be open to non-members for a limited time, so make the most of it. This ground work will make your FLP experience much more fruitful and enjoyable.

2. Come Willing to Ask Questions and Share Thoughts

One of the great things about the FLP experience is that it’s a hands-on affair. If you do the prep work and come prepared and willing to ask questions and share your own thoughts and experiences, you will get much more from the event. As I’ve already mentioned, you can just sit and listen if you like, but I’d strongly advise against this passive approach. This is your chance to prove to yourself and your peers that you are a future leader. It’s also your chance to soak everything up, and the more involved you are in discussions, the greater the insights you’ll gain. It’s not often you get the chance to interact with such thought leaders and CEOs, so make the most of it. You’ll regret it if you don’t.

3. Network Nonstop

Aside from the great sessions, the FLP experience is also built on the networking opportunities that are available. There is a great mix of retailers, manufacturers and service providers from five continents and about 35 countries. These are your peers and possible future business associates, if not already. You’ll be mingling with the very best future leaders our industry has to offer, and you’ll find being a great leader much easier if you have a great global network. The FLP Congress helps provide you with that foundation. I am still in contact with many of the people I have met at the event over the years, and I’ve made good friends and good clients, and the network I now have in place is likely to last much of my career. So, make sure you bring a stack of business cards and make sure you make the most of the lunches, dinners and session intervals. You can also access the participants list via the Knowledge Navigator, so see who’s about and make the most of this opportunity.

4. Take It All In and Use What You Learn

It should go without saying that the FLP Congress is meant to be a learning experience. Attending delegates have been singled out by their employers as the future leaders of their respective companies, and are sent to the FLP event as their employers see it as the perfect tool to aid in their development. The FLP Congress provides three days of intriguing and inspiring sessions, and I have no doubt that you’ll leave Montreal feeling the better for it. However, irrelevant of what great advice you receive from the presenting CEOs and thought leaders, it won’t mean much if you don’t then utilise what you’ve learned. Take notes, put things into practice. Give things a try and continue the learning process. This isn’t just a three-day event; it’s a kick-start to your future within the consumer goods industry.

5. Share with Colleagues and in Internal Programmes

My final point is to remind you that the FLP event isn’t disclosing trade secrets that you need to keep locked in your office desk. Similar to my point above, make the most of what you’ve learned long after the Montreal event has ended, and share the knowledge you’ve gained with your colleagues. This can be in one-on-one situations or as part of larger internal development programmes. It will not only strengthen your position within your company, it will also strengthen the position of the entire company. A strong leadership team is at the core of all successful businesses and the things you learn at the FLP Congress are designed to be passed on and shared. This is how your company can genuinely benefit from your attendance.

And so, there you have it. Those were my top five tips for getting the most out of the upcoming 58th Future Leaders Congress in Montreal. If you are an alumni and have your own thoughts on what attendees should do to make the most of the event, I’d encourage you to share those here too. We are all in this together, for the good of our industry – better lives through better business.

Thanks, and see you in Montreal!

Guy Tiebackx
Head of Sales, Develey Senf & Feinkost GmbH,
and Chairman, Future Leaders Committee, The Consumer Goods Forum