Three benefits of attending a conference
Attending a conference can be pricey. Getting there, paying for accommodation and all sorts of costs can deter you from attending. But conferences needn’t be a waste of money; in fact when used cleverly, they can actively lead to future business proposals.
Conferences are held throughout Britain and are increasingly conducted in highly accessible positions, rather than those that are the lowest price. For instance you can be in central London conference venues one week, and the next you can be in conference venues Birmingham way. It goes without saying, both of these cities are straightforward to get to and don’t necessarily require overnight accommodation. But even if you do need to splash out on expenses, conferences are still rewarding and here’s why.
Networking
Networking is definitely the greatest reward you will reap from conference attendance. Making fresh contacts and strengthening on going ones can lead to a plethora of future business opportunities and these connections can often get you out of problems in times of need. Whatever your profession, it’s always a good idea to understand your competitors and make friends and contacts at the same time. Never forget the old saying: it’s not what you know, it is who you know.
Learning
Everybody can learn from the experiences and studies of our peers. Conferences are suitable for both beginners and experienced experts in any field. The young can glean information from the more experienced, whilst fresh blood can bring new ideas and alternative ways of looking at situations and subject matter. We never stop learning, and conferences can be fantastic places to find out about new ideas and alternative views. If you are new to public speaking, conferences are also perfect places to learn about this valuable but hard to master skill.
Branding
Conferences are a places to sell you. Whilst networking you should make yourself notable and stand out as an expert or professional in your field. When branding works it can open dozens of doors and lead to all kinds of business proposals in the future. Tailor your branding to your subject area. For example, if you are working in journalism, make sure your boast business cards which include details of your website or blog, or go one step better and take a tablet device with you so you can show people your work on the spot.
Peter O’Halloran is a freelance business consultant. He recommends ETC Venues for London conference venues.
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