? about academic conferences

[Deleted]

SO is going to a conference for his PhD program (his first) and isn't sure what to pack. Do attendees usually wear business casual? It's a computer science conference if that makes a difference.

TIA

[pamela]

In my world (engineering), the dress was typically nice business casual except presenters tended to wear suits or at least a dress shirt, slacks and tie.

[rubytue]

What Pamela said.

At my conferences, most presenters wear suits. The younger (e.g. grad students), the more likely to be full suits. Professors presenting usually just wear a tie. Everyone else, slacks and shirts. A few jeans and polos. It's a mixed bag.

Back when I went to software development conferences (mid-90s), jeans and a t-shirt for attendees. But I'd say IEEE would be nicer dress than, say, a Microsoft conference.

[keweenawlove]

It really depends on the conference. I've been to some where everyone's in suits and some where people wear jeans. I'd send at with a least one suit (especially if they're presenting) and some business casual clothes. Is there anyone around the lab/office to ask?

[jaybird]

Is he speaking or presenting a poster or is he just attending? But I agree with rubytues: presenters (esp younger ones) in suits, posters are a bit more casual (shirt and tie), and attendees in casual clothes.

[dr.girlfriend]

I'm in social sciences, but it's usually business casual (pants, sweaters, shirt) unless you're interviewing or presenting.

[aurora]

I agree with everyone else about presenters in suits and most others in business casual. I'm not in CS but am in a STEM field, so I imagine the attire is similar.

[lahoagie]

My husband is in physics and typically wears khakis and a nice polo short sleeve shirt if he is just attending and wears a long sleeve button up shirt with maybe a tie when he is presenting. Where is the conference at? He went to a couple in Mexico and just wore khaki shorts and polo shirts the whole time.

[Deleted]

Oct 4, 2012 8:08:31 GMT -5 jaybird said:

Is he speaking or presenting a poster or is he just attending? But I agree with rubytues: presenters (esp younger ones) in suits, posters are a bit more casual (shirt and tie), and attendees in casual clothes.

He'll has a poster at the conference but I don't think he'll be giving a formal presentation on it. Would khakis and a button-up be sufficient for that?

[Deleted]

Oct 4, 2012 10:48:24 GMT -5 lahoagie said:

My husband is in physics and typically wears khakis and a nice polo short sleeve shirt if he is just attending and wears a long sleeve button up shirt with maybe a tie when he is presenting. Where is the conference at? He went to a couple in Mexico and just wore khaki shorts and polo shirts the whole time.

It's in LA.

[lahoagie]

Oct 4, 2012 11:10:24 GMT -5 @amoosed said:

Oct 4, 2012 8:08:31 GMT -5 jaybird said:

Is he speaking or presenting a poster or is he just attending? But I agree with rubytues: presenters (esp younger ones) in suits, posters are a bit more casual (shirt and tie), and attendees in casual clothes.

He'll has a poster at the conference but I don't think he'll be giving a formal presentation on it. Would khakis and a button-up be sufficient for that?

If it was me, I would probably error on the side of dressing nicer and then the next conference he will know what is the norm. Plus, he can always take off a jacket or tie.

[Deleted]

If is not presenting or interviewing, I'd go with nicer business casual.

[definitelyO]

All the conferences I go to are business casual with a range - but no one in jeans. dress pants and polo type shirts can be okay. presenters are always in full business suits/dresses, etc..

I would pack business casual

[Deleted]

Thanks ladies! I'll be sure to have him pack a tie that he can wear with one of his button downs. I'm not sure if his suit even fits him anymore so maybe we'll have to order his suit for our wedding earlier!