Do you attend seminars or conferences regularly? What is your favorite part about attending seminars or conferences in your industry?

In the past I have attended seminars and conference to network with other like minded folks and to invest in my personal & professional development. I'm trying to decide if I will continue this in 2018 and want to know the seminars or conferences you recommend?

What is your favorite part about attending seminars or conferences in your industry?

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Answered on Feb 7th, 2018

I attend live seminars and conferences 8-10 times/year and online 2-3/week.

My favorite part is the people. The participants, the volunteers, the trainer(s) and even the staff at the venue.

The content from the trainer is only a fraction of the value available. Meet and connect with as many people as you can while your there. You're not there to be comfortable, you're there to grow.

Every contact you make is storehouse of experience, talents, contacts and other resources that can be yours to use - if you develop rapport with them.

Listen, share, serve, love. The best exercise in the world is lifting other people.

Look for ways to contribute to the key contacts you meet and leverage the power of love.

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Answered on Feb 7th, 2018

Yes! I make every effort to attend the annual conference for my profession, VASTA (Voice & Speech Trainers Assoc., international). Hobnobbing and problem solving, tips sharing with my colleagues is always so validating and inspiring. The best aspect is active, in-depth workshops taught by masters in our field, for real skill-building. I go back to my coaching practice and my (college) classroom with new tools, new ideas, and re-ignited passion every year.
I think the key is to research the groups/conferences for your profession and become active in one outside of the conferences, forming community. VASTA has very active Facebook and committee sites. Choose conferences that really deliver quality, immersive workshops, not just ego-driven solo presentations.

Business from Arlington, TX

Answered on Feb 7th, 2018

I don't attend as many seminars and conferences now as I have in the past; however I feel they are very valuable for ongoing personal development. If I attend any now, it's very specific to what I need to learn or where I want to stretch or grow my skill level.

The information and learning are highly valuable; however, my favorite part is meeting the people who attend and feeling the since of community. Thanks for asking.

from

Answered on Feb 7th, 2018

My favourite part is connecting with like-minded people -- those who are open to learning more on the same subject on which I'm looking for more -- and who are in my industry.

from

Answered on Feb 7th, 2018

Connecting people!

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Answered on Apr 21st, 2018

As a grad student, I LOVED to attend seminars and conferences, both to listen and to present. Now, I frequently attend NoCoNet, a Monday morning networking group in Fort Collins that started with laid off HP workers and has expanded to cover a huge array of talented unemployed and underemployed and self employed or retired volunteering folks. The Program Team makes sure there are activities and speakers and ways to get to the point where you're buying donuts for the group to celebrate your new position. The Employer Liaison Team puts on two Job Fairs a year -- next one coming up on April 23 -- and is Free.

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Answered on Feb 7th, 2018

Here are five reasons to attend your industry conference:

Educational opportunities. No matter how experienced you are at your business, everyone can learn. Working in a small business venture can often be isolating, and without exposure to a variety of points of view, we can miss new ideas and trends that can impact future results. The educational aspect of a conference can expose you to new ways of conducting your business and help you discover how to be more productive.

Networking with peers. Industry conferences provide a great opportunity to network. Often competitors from other regions of the country can become valuable resources for referrals and best-practices. Avoiding peers for fear of others discovering your competitive advantage can actually limit your own success. Collaboration is the way to approach networking. While there are those whose intentions can be suspect, most people can help each other uncover ideas and spark inspiration when they get to know each other on a personal level.

Encounter new vendors and suppliers. Too often people shy away from the trade show exhibit hall at conferences. They fear that they will have to talk to salespeople, but these industry suppliers are some of the best people for you to get to know if you want to learn more about the current business climate. Discovering innovative products and services for your business is necessary to stay competitive in today's fast-paced world. Plus, these vendors who sell to your industry fully grasp what is happening inside your competition. Invest time with the sponsors at the event and turn them into your friends and allies.

Position yourself as an expert. When you are active in your industry, you can develop a reputation as an expert to your peers and your clients. Those who are engaged over the long term are often asked to speak at the events and to write articles for their industry publications. Like it or not, others like to associate with the experts in any industry. Clients feel good about doing business with those that are celebrated by their peers. If your strategy is to be the best-kept secret in your business community, you will be missing a valuable opportunity.

Have fun. Being in business should be rewarding and fun. All work and no play can get old fast. Industry conferences can add a layer of enjoyment to managing your career growth by mixing a social aspect into your learning and industry branding efforts. Many events have fun activities such as parties, golf, and tours of the local area where the event is hosted. Taking an extra day at the beginning or end of the trip to explore or visit friends in the region is also a great way to maximize the investment in travel. Never underestimate the power of a little fun mixed with some interesting people! Best regards, Michael Kissinger-Phone xxx-xxx-xxxx See: Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-kissinger-a66b214/

Business from Tucson, AZ

Answered on Feb 7th, 2018

I have attended seminars and conferences related to my field. I plan on attending at least two of each this year (one per quarter). Being a soloprenuer it is nice to talk with others about their wins and challenges. I find the synergy that develops from being with a group of like-minded people gives me a charge. I am using the quarterly attendance to recharge my batteries throughout the year.