Why do people attend conferences

Some go to learn, some go to play, some go to teach.

However, the paramount reason to attend a conference: Take all of the above, add in the networking, business development opportunities, and the health advantages, (a change is as good as a rest) and then you have all the reasons to attend. 

What all conference delegates offer – their time, expertise and knowledge a transfer of knowledge. All of these reasons are excellent as the underlying theme of any conference, however, we all participate in something more important, more useful. Conferences offer the highest potential to advance our careers and industry. 

Why? Face time.

Throw like-minded people in a room and you’re bound to get something good out of it. Conversation is the inspiration for innovation. When you attend a conference the opportunity to contribute to our careers is huge.

Conferences present a unique opportunity for innovation due to the vast melting pot of expertise and interest. When delegates from across the world come together, the sharing of products, ideas, and flavours create that fabulous global pot of expertise.

To those who are attending a conference that interests them, I encourage you to get out and talk to people. You have unique knowledge and unique interests that can pollinate new ideas. Breakout sessions and hospitality suites, more than conference sessions, offer a low barrier to entry to talk to like-minded professionals. Consider those sessions as the jumping point for new and interesting conversation. Sessions are designed to make you think. Conferences are designed to make you think together. That’s where The Next Big Thing lies in waiting.

To those who are not attending conferences, but have the means, I offer a thought. Anyone can sit at home reading books and consume knowledge. Likewise, anyone can approach the world and provide knowledge through computers, blogs, our virtual world. Choose to give back, choose face time, that’s how we grow. 

To conclude this thought, go to conferences to teach, learn, and play. We attend conferences to make things happen - your industry can benefit by you being there.

Mentorship and experience - awesome value

Volunteering with great mentors and team leaders is an amazing experience - hands on practical skills. An undervalued and sometimes underappreciated career determining and resume building opportunity.

I had the privilege of volunteering with the Hands on One Hundred at the Special Events Conference in Phoenix. It was a great reminder of the necessity of mentorship and experience. And the value of well trained team leaders, who have knowledge and experience in the areas they are leading.

This past week reminded me that training the trainer is a necessity. It also reminded me why getting involved in a team project will always teach you something. That the best education only supports the practical application. That many minds are so much better than one. That the expert team leader is always open to learning from the team, and willing to implement something new, or the majority consensus.

I relearned the value of team meetings before shifts, the exchange of hellos, smiles, goals, and the importance of understanding the critical path to the end result. And insuring everyone is working as a team.

I watched a wonderful team leader teach volunteers how to simplify the project of getting wrist bands ready for the 700 guests arriving in an hour. He taught with a smile and a compliment (yes, we were taking the wrist bands apart one at a time)

I watched a team leader totally ignore the catering experts in her group, all the while allowing a team of volunteers set tables for 700 guests - volunteers who had never set a formal table, much less tried to set silverware and stemware for 700 on a deadline.

I had the opportunity to volunteer with two young ladies who were just starting out in the industry. They were truly starting their business correctly - matching their education with hands on practical experiences. All the while listening to people around them tell stories, which gave them practical advice to take away. This conference was part of their education program, their volunteer program, and their learning experience. These ladies will be successful. Plus they had the  personable attitude to be great event planners - a love of life, a desire to create, strong work ethics, a genuine friendliness, and a love of people.

The best advice I heard from many experts - get a great education, study the theory, insure you have the practical, share with your network, listen to those around you, and keep learning from our youth, while helping our youth and entry level people on their career path. It is a win/win for everyone.