When you visit a city for a conference or meeting, how sad if all you see is the airport, two taxis and the inside of a hotel. Often meetings take up the entire time, starting with a pre-meeting breakfast and ending with a group dinner in one of the banquet rooms. You're exhausted when you arrive, not only from the travails of travel, but from handling all of the business and unfinished tasks that attack you before you leave. Then you rush from the meeting (perhaps leaving just a little bit early to make the last flight home) to the airport, security, waiting, tight seats, luggage pickup, and back home.
Try to sandwich the conference between two days. If you can add two nights as well, that's even better. But at least target some time on both ends. Plan to arrive by noon, then have a leisurely lunch and check-in to your hotel, and then get out and visit some of the attractions, or rent a car and drive around the area, or take a city tour to highlight what you might want to visit while you're there.
After the conference, get a good night's sleep, and if you can't stay another night, choose the latest flight out that day, so you can follow some of the recommendations you've received about the area and what to see. Also use the day to take advantage of what you've learned - summarize it, determine the most important things you want to implement, and set out an action plan. You won't feel like it when you're on the cramped plane, and you'll have too many things to attend to when you get back, so plan the time for review and planning while you're away. Sitting, thinking, writing notes and a plan have a greater impact when you're looking out at Waikiki Beach, or some snow-capped mountains, and merge the ideas and a sense of place.
And if you can add another day - pick out someone you'd like to meet, someone whose blog you've read, or someone you pick out of a directory, and take them to lunch. Share ideas, learn a bit about their market, and begin a relationship which could lead to referrals in both directions.
Bring your camera - it will help you see better, and will be available for future blogs.
Sharon,
Good suggestions. And as you suggest, one thing I try to do is take the "City Tour". I know that sounds corny and very touristy but I found it is a great way to get a quick overview in 3 hours. And in many cases the tour guide adds so much to the experience.