It’s an interesting question to consider and a key one if you want to justify the cost of attending a conference to your employer. I’ve written down some of the key benefits I’ve appreciated attending conferences in my role.
- Keeping up to date
- Learning about developments
- Learning from experience
- Not re-inventing the wheel
- Making connections
Keeping up to date
There are numerous ways to keep up to date on the developments in the profession: newsletters, emails and reading the publications relevant to your work. However, you can’t follow up and ask questions. Attending a conference is a unique way to get all the information in one place. It’s incredibly useful to have an opportunity to ask a follow-up question after a talk or listen to someone else’s questions and hear additional information. It’s an opportunity to talk to a subject expert. At conferences most people are keen to discuss what they’re doing, and even answer questions in the coffee queue!
Learning about developments
Conferences can be a great showcase for developments. Whether that’s from sponsors and exhibitors who are presenting new developments and products. Or, from talks and posters at the conferences. This is where you will be able to see key developments showcased for everyone. Things that are from another sector, might strike a chord with you and be something that you can investigate in your own institution. Keeping your eyes and ears open means you can come across interesting developments you can take forward.
Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado on UnsplashLearning from experience
It’s also a chance to learn from other people’s experience. In our busy jobs we don’t always have the time to try out every new idea and development. At a conference speakers will present what their experience has been like with a new piece of technology, software or teaching approach. Listening to their point of view, understanding their context and yours, means you might be able to introduce what they’ve done back at work. Or being able to ask them questions, you can get an idea of it is appropriate in your context. This can save time and energy!
Not re-inventing the wheel.
Although it’s nice to be the first one to do something and try something novel, we don’t always have time. We might be aware of a problem or issue we would like to explore, but don’t have the time to do it. Attending a conference and learning about how someone else has successfully implemented a new support idea for students is helpful. If it works there, and they have a similar experience / environment to you, it might be worth trying. Plus, you’ll know someone you can ask about it later, when you’re trying it out. Most presenters are happy to talk about their work and ideas and they’ll often share their contact details so you can get in touch after the conference.
Making connections
Many people shiver at the idea of networking and there are those people that actively avoid it. However, you can make some interesting and helpful connections at conferences. Even if it’s just smiling at someone in the queue for coffee, you might make their day. Conferences can be overwhelming at times, so friendly faces are always welcome. Asking people what talk they’ve just been to and what they found most interesting can be a great way to start and conversation and make connections. Sometimes even being quite bold and walking up to someone and asking if you can join them for coffee, or if they mind if you sit with them, can help you meet new people. These people could be in similar positions to you, or in a completely different role and you get the chance to find out how things work elsewhere.
In my view point I find there are two overriding benefits of going to a conference: learning from other people and meeting people from across the sector. If you’re open, interested, and listen well, you’ll take away some interesting ideas to bring forward. You may also learn about other people’s mistakes and learn what to avoid (for example, that software was a waste of money, you’re better off sticking with what you have). Those people you meet, can be helpful later when you have questions about something. Or even, just bumping into them at another conference – there’s a friendly face!
Lessons learnt:
- Smile and be approachable.
- Listen carefully to the good and the bad – this can save you time, money and energy!