Why You Should Attend An Industry Conference
Why attending an industry conference is a great idea
In a time where the majority of our work takes place behind a computer screen, discover the benefits of the face-to-face networking, knowledge-sharing and content opportunities you get from conferences in your industry.
Attending an industry conference is a great idea on a number of levels. More than the takeaways you get from the speaking sessions themselves, you also get invaluable networking time, opening up the door for new business, new partnerships and new perspectives. Not to mention, making an appearance at events within your event is a great way to build credibility and perhaps even establish thought leadership.
Industry Knowledge
Conferences are a brilliant opportunity to learn more about your sector and tap into the knowledge of industry experts. From learning new topics, to practical and strategic solutions to take away with you, conferences deliver a vast array of useful information in a short space of time.
Whether you’re just starting out in your industry or you’re a seasoned pro, there is always room to grow. Sometimes it’s just a matter of a different perspective, a better approach, whatever the takeaway, industry events bring people that are all doing similar things together, to talk and learn from one another, there are bound to be some insights shared and breakthroughs.
There is a lot to be learned from other players in your industry, operating in a different discipline than you. For one, you can learn what’s of interest to those you do business with. In these instances, industry events act as a means to build shared language and understanding, making it easier for everyone to do their jobs well.
Networking & Brand Awareness
Industry experts, business partners, peers and clients attend conferences and seminars, providing the perfect platform to meet people face-to-face in your field, exchange details and chat about how you might work together in the future.
One of the greatest opportunities that come from conferences within your industry is the opportunity to network. Whether you’re getting the chance to put in face time with potential clients, partners or competitors, there’s certainly something to be said about getting out from behind your computer screen and speaking face to face with these people.
In our increasingly digital world, a little face-to-face interaction goes a long way in building trust. One in-person interaction, for example, may be just what it takes to win the business of the client you’ve been emailing back and forth with forever.
Further, by simply being (or having employees present) at an industry event, you're ensuring that your company is out there being seen. In other words, participating in an industry even builds brand awareness. Keep in mind, though, this can be for better or worse. Pay mind to the way you represent your brand when at such industry events. While it may seem unimportant, it’s a good idea to put some thought into the way you and your employees present themselves and whether or not that aligns with your brand identity.
Attending a conference allows you to showcase your business to current and potential clients. This helps spread the word and generate positive leads. To raise your business profile further, volunteer to speak or run an affiliate workshop.
Tons of Content Possibilities
Photo ops are great for Instagram and Facebook, making your presence at the event known, and associating your brand with the event and thought leadership in general. Twitter is a great place to quote some of the speakers you’ve heard. Make sure to use the event-specific hashtag, this is a great way to make sure you get more eyes on what you put out there from other event-goers and their network.
Industry events are a great place to get evergreen video footage—from live-streaming and interviews to simply capturing high-energy moments or getting great B-roll, no question, these events are great for video footage, just be sure you have the proper permissions to film!
Another way to repurpose your conference experience into content is through blog posts after the event. There is no shortage of opportunities. You can highlight the best moments from a particular speaker or summarise the takeaways of the event, in general.
Fresh Ideas
Conferences have great value when it comes to stimulating new ideas, as well as identifying new market opportunities, you can learn how other businesses operate and tackle industry-specific challenges. Seminars and workshops are also great for generating new ideas or finding fresh perspectives on old ways of working.
Get Inspired and Motivated
There are always different experiences that conference attendees get energized by. Many conferences these days are geared toward creating these inspiration-worthy moments, by facilitating different session formats, such as workshops that allow for greater audience participation and engagement.
When you return to the office, sometimes there can be a dip in energy and it can be difficult to determine how to put all your great learnings into practice, we suggest taking the time within your organization to debrief on learnings, create a list of takeaways and make an actionable game-plan on how you can put those learnings into play.
