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.