If you put more thought into what socks you're going to wear every day than what you plan to accomplish at your next professional conference, then you need a wake-up call.

Not developing a game plan when attending a conference or a trade show is not only a waste of time and money, but also can make you appear less than professional in front of the people who matter most other professionals in your field.

Say, for example, you dump your conference materials in your bag and head out to the first meeting, not really sure what the discussion will be about or who will be there. After 15 minutes in the session, you realize the subject matter is of no interest to you, and you begin to discreetly read the morning's newspaper.

Not only is this a waste of your employer's money, but also it makes others question your ability to focus and be committed to your profession when they see you checking the baseball scores instead of taking notes.

The best way to approach a professional meeting is through preparation. Ask yourself before you ever check in: What do I want to get from this conference or trade show? How can I use it to improve my skills and abilities? What useful contacts can I make?

Then, review the conference materials. Highlight the sessions that you believe will offer the most benefits and those from which you would like to request handouts.

If you're not clear about a session, you can always ask conference coordinators for clarification. Or, you can sit to the back of the room and quietly leave the session for another choice if you find it of no interest to you.

Try to arrive early to say hello to the speaker or to get to know other conference attendees. These brief interactions also will give you a chance to ask the speaker or other attendees to meet you later during a break or for a meal to discuss the topic further.

After the conference, make notes while it's still fresh in your mind. Make a list of immediate actions you want to take; those that you would further like to explore; and those that you would like to pass onto others. Go through the business cards and contact names and numbers you have received, and decide with whom you will stay in contact through notes and phone calls.

At the same time, review whether you achieved the goals you set out for yourself. Perhaps you didn't meet as many people as you hoped or you didn't get the specific information you wanted. Decide where your strategy failed and what you can do better next time.

And finally, don't forget to write up a summary of the conference for your boss. That way, you assure management that your time away was worthwhile, and you can attend another conference in the future where you can hone your skills.

Write to Anita Bruzzese c/o: Business Editor, Gannett News Service, 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Va. 22107. For a reply, include a SASE.