How to make the most out of Tarot conferences

Are you a tarot fanatic?  Want to hang with fellow tarot lovers in a fun learning environment?

Get thee to a tarot conference!

Lucky for you – there are plenty of ‘em all around the world.

For this post, I am only focusing on US events – use Google to find some in your neck o’ the woods:

Readers Studio – hosted by Ruth Ann and Wald Amberstone of The Tarot School, this is the biggest one in the U.S.  Fans gather from every corner of the world in Queen, New York ever year to max out their tarot skills with favorite teachers.

SF BATS – The Bay Area Tarot Symposium is hosted by the hostess with the mostest, Thalassa Therese and the Daughters of Divination.  This fun event is always a hoot!  They’ve recently moved operations to San Jose.

North Star Tarot Conference – set in Minnesota in the dead of winter, this conference hosted by the Twin Cities Tarot Collective, is sure to warm your tarot skills up to the next level.

Tarosophy Tarot Conferences – Hosted by Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin of Tarot Professionals, the Tarosophy Tarot Conferences are expanding into new US locations such as Denver.  Be sure to keep an eye on where they may show up next!

Northwest Tarot Symposium – the newest kid on the block, Northwest Tarot Symposium is being hosted in one of my favorite foodie-friendly cities, Portland!  2015 is their first year and hopefully, not the last!

Your Tarot Conference Survival Guide:

Always book your ticket in advance because the last thing you want to do is miss out on the fun. Also, some of the events offer payment plans for early bookers, which makes it an easy yes for the budget conscious.

If you are on a tight budget, consider getting a roommate.  Most tarot people are pretty friendly and you should have no problem finding one – even if you’ve never gone to one before.  Ask around in your community.

Which leads me to: book your hotel in advance too.  If you wait until the last minute, you may be without a room.  And yes, it does happen.  You also want to get your flight booked asap too.  Never leave anything to chance!

I recommend coming in a day early so that you have time to chill and settle in.  Also, an extra day or two allows for some sight seeing.  (You won’t have time for that once the conference kicks off.)

Once you have settled into your room, take a walk around the hotel and sniff out the lay of the land.  This way, you’re not going to be scrambling around – especially if there are classes in different rooms.

If food will be served, be sure to let the hosts know if you have special dietary needs.

Make sure you have enough money set aside for food, transportation, and tarot decks!  There is usually a lot of goodies for sale at these events.  (PS leave some room in your luggage for any goodies you purchase.)

Stay fueled during the event.  Eat well, bring snacks, and above all, stay hydrated.

Be sure to introduce yourself to the hosts, especially if you are new.

Don’t be intimidated by other well known readers – we are all here to learn new things and network.  Even old dogs learn new tricks at these conferences.  Don’t be shy – introduce yourself and network your butt off!  You may just make a new tarot BFF.

Bring: laptop, notebook and pens, sturdy deck (you can usually buy decks at the events) or an iPad – and a bag to carry them.  (Hint: make sure it has enough room for any tarot swag you may wish to purchase.)

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.  While corsets and stilettos may be in vogue, they do not lend well to a long day of tarot.  (You’ll look fabulous though!)

Give the speakers your full attention.  Be respectful during their classes.

If you are hard of hearing, sit near the front so that you don’t miss a thing.

If you are a professional, bring your business cards.  Conferences are a great way to network.  Many a book deal and otherwise were formed at these events.

Tarot conferences are fun but they can also be exhausting.  Take little breaks during the day if you need.  And be sure to take a day off after you return so that you have time to settle back into your regular life.

If there are special events, do attend!

Do watch your alcohol intake.  Getting hammered at an event could prove to be embarrassing later.  Don’t be the reader who does something offensive!

After the conference is over, take time to thank your hosts and speakers.  These conferences are a TON of work and often a thankless job.  Be a class act and show your appreciation.  A quick goodbye hug, a thank you via email or handwritten note is a nice touch.

Other helpful tips:

What I pack: What I pack for tarot conferences

Working on the road: My Portable Tarot Office – how I read tarot and work on the road

Hope to see you at a conference soon!

Blessings,

Theresa

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2015

PS want to hang with me this year? Get your fine self to the Reader’s Studio 2015!  I’m going to be presenting a killer talk and kicking it hard with the Amberstones and my other tarot crew!  Less than two months away…so git it git it….