When the Conference Makes Sense
In a previous post, I addressed the problem with big centralized conferences when networking can now be much more easily done using incredibly new technology such as a telephone or e-mail. This led to a discussion with Amitai over at Recruitomatic which led to a follow-up post by him which leads me to this follow-up post. When does going to a big centralized conference make sense. Here is my list and feel free to add in the comments:
1.) Educational opportunities that you have to be there for. I am very much a hands on person so if there is something that I need to learn about my craft that I absolutely must know and I know that learning it in person is going to get me there quickest, I am there.
2.) A speaker you can’t miss. This isn’t something I would go solely for but it is something that can seal the deal. I fully admit that with some speakers, you have to be there. Even a video of it doesn’t work the same.
3.) It is incredibly focused. Jobster talked about the fact that they were in between LL Bean and background checks at the last SHRM conference. While I might be interested in Jobster’s offerings, how am I going to find them in that mass? If it is laser focused on a subject matter I want to hear, let’s do it.
4.) Networking opportunities that are too good to pass up. Sometimes you’re in a position where it is simply most convenient to rub elbows with a lot of big wigs at once in one place.
5.) It is convenient. I am on the West Coast. When you get past Denver, Dallas and Minneapolis (all one flight hop and not three time zones away), it makes me really start to really question how necessary the conference is.
6.) You get an ROI. There has to be some kind of return on your trip to justify the expense. And if the cost is too big (some conferences are just ridiculously priced), it is going to be hard to get that return in real results.
7.) You have to be there. You can watch a DVD of a rock concert but you’ll never really be there. Some conferences are so good, you just have to be there. And the reason you have to be there is probably due to the fact that a bunch of the above six have come together in one place.
SHRM didn’t have these for me this year.
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Your HR Guy is a Human Resources Generalist practicing in the field. But don't let that fool you, this isn't a boring blog. I seek relevance and humor in a place we will spend much of our lives. Everything from workplace issues, job seeking and terrible bosses. Read more...
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