ny time a group comes together for an event, there must be compromise. If people did exactly what they wanted when they wanted to, there would be chaos.

Industry seminars and conferences are no exception. Simply being polite and respectful can go a long way to making an event more enjoyable and assuring that you get the most out of it.

Below are a few important tips to remember when attending industry tradeshows, conferences and seminars. Follow these guidelines and you will get the most out of the day, while preserving your professional standing.

Mum's the Word

One of the most important actions you can take during a conference or tradeshow is something you don't do: Don't talk during presentations.

It sounds simple because it is. We all know it's rude to talk when someone else is speaking. It's disrespectful to the speaker and distracting to your fellow audience members. Enough said.

However, there's another reason to refrain from chatting during presentations: Others can hear you. And if the presentation lacks energy, other audience members may be eager to listen in on something a little more interesting, such as your conversation.

It's a small world and an even smaller industry. When you're talking about someone, you never know how many of the people sitting near you know him or her, too. Therefore, it's especially important to refrain from naming names in a crowded room.

An additional reason to keep silent during presentations is to protect your company. Do you want conference attendees to learn about your pending product announcement before your company is ready to release that information? Would your boss be happy to know that the person sitting next to you is privy to your most recent sales figures? Keeping silent helps protect your company, as well as your position in it.

Silence Is Golden

Another easy rule to follow during meetings and presentations is to turn off cell phones and pagers. Again, it's a simple request, but how many times have you been in a presentation and heard the ring of a cell phone regardless of a previous request to turn them off?

Allowing a phone to ring during a meeting is not only rude, but it can also hurt your business reputation. If you're attending a conference to network, do you want to be known as the guy whose phone kept ringing while someone was trying to talk?

Do you want to be perceived as someone who can't follow directions, or worse, as someone who feels the rules don't apply to him? If you're waiting for an important call, turn your phone to vibrate. If you expect that you may have to leave early, sit near the door so you won't disturb others.

Speak Up

While reading this article you might be tempted to think that attending a seminar or conference requires complete silence. Rest assured, it does not. There are times when you're encouraged to make some noise.

For example, if you have a question or comment, don't be afraid to speak up and out. Speak loudly and clearly so all attendees can hear your questions and better understand the answers. While presentations are valuable, many times we learn even more from the information that comes out of audience questions or discussions that follow.

So, if you have a question, ask it slowly and clearly, maybe even stand up. It gives others the opportunity to learn with you and shows that you are actively involved in the presentation.

Whether attending a seminar, conference or tradeshow you can never be too polite or too respectful. Follow these common sense tips and you will leave a positive impression on your fellow attendees and help make the event more enjoyable for all.