Attending a Business Conference or Retreat This Year? Here Are Some Tips.
“Hold fast to instruction, never let it go; keep it, for it is your life” (Proverbs 4:13).
One of the first Theology on Tap events I attended after graduating from college featured our bishop as the guest speaker. Now, over 15 years later, I still remember what he said. He encouraged us to constantly learn about our faith and always be evolving. He said you wouldn’t want to go to a heart surgeon who hasn’t read a book since he graduated medical school, so why would we stop reading about the faith when we finished school?
The same is true for our professional learning. You can learn about your industry and improve your skills by reading books, but I also want to encourage you to go to an industry conference or retreat this year—even if it’s a one-day event. As a bookkeeper, I have attended several accounting conferences that changed the way I think about my business. I have grown my skills, learned about new apps, and met some amazing people who helped me grow my business. Here are my biggest takeaways and why you should consider attending one this year.
How to Choose the Right Conference or Retreat
There are so many different opportunities for personal development that it can be overwhelming to figure out how to choose the best one for you. Here is what I consider.
Event Formats
Are you looking for educational content, the opportunity to network with vendors or colleagues, or inspiration to grow your business or career?
Conferences are perfect if you’re looking to learn about new ideas and build your skills. It is also the perfect place to meet vendors and connect with people in your field. The educational content at these events is taught by experts. When I’ve attended conferences, they’ve help me make changes that improved my work for months afterward.
Retreats give you breathing room to think about your business or career path. If you never make time to set goals for yourself, a retreat is a great way to make sure you do. It offers time to refresh and recharge and come back to work refreshed and rejuvenated. Like going on vacation, retreats are a great reminder that sometimes, we need to step back from the daily grind to see the bigger picture.
Event Size
It is easy to get lost in the crowd at a large conference. Small conferences are more intimate and it can be easier to network without feeling overwhelmed. On the other hand, at a larger conference, you get to meet all kinds of different people in your field. They are also more likely to attract recognized experts in your field—often the same people whose books you have read and interviews you have listened to on podcasts or YouTube.
Large conferences also often have large exhibit halls, which are a great place to meet companies whose services or products can help your business. They are a great way to see live demonstrations of products or software and get your questions answered by their creators. It is also fun to meet the vendors of products you already use and give feedback. As a bonus, they are usually full of swag and gifts.
Location and Travel Commitment
Are you wanting to stick close to home to save on travel time and costs, or are you willing to go further away? If you cannot afford to attend an event in person, you can look for a virtual conference. While it isn’t the same, it can be a great alternative. You can also DIY on your own. I have known people who rent an Airbnb for the weekend and work on implementing courses or systems in their business that they never otherwise make the time for.
The Power of Networking
One of the best parts of going to a business conference or retreat is meeting people who understand what you do for a living. As a bookkeeper, I’ve found that no one wants to talk about what I do on a daily basis. If I try, their eyes glaze over. Going to conferences is a great way for me to meet other accountants and bookkeepers, learn from them, and realize that I am not alone in some of the struggles I have in my line of work.
To make the most of this opportunity, make sure you bring plenty of business cards and practice your elevator pitch. You want it to be short but memorable. When I sign up for a conference, I always look on social media to see if there are any groups meeting up at the event. They are a great way to connect with others.
If the conference has an app, download it, and see if there is a chat section. Use it to meet people before and during the conference. Often, people post there if they are having a meetup. Attending social events is a great opportunity to connect with others in a less formal setting.
After the event, if there is anyone you met whom you would like to talk to more, you can follow up with them via email and set up coffee chats in person or over the phone.
Pre-Event Planning Tips
Picking conference sessions can be overwhelming, so it’s important to plan ahead. Many conferences have a webinar or orientation beforehand with tips about the venue and the event. This is a great place to start.
The schedule for the conference usually comes out a few weeks before the event. I take this time to go through the schedule and sessions and highlight which ones I want to attend. In some cases, you can sign up for sessions ahead of time, before they fill up.
Think about where you are struggling, and cater your sessions to those areas. If you are struggling with mindset, you may want to go to more inspirational talks. If you are struggling with technology, you may want to go to sessions focused on business tools.
There are always more sessions than you can attend. If there is a session you can’t get to, you can sometimes download the presenter’s slides or even watch a recording online. You can also team up with a buddy who went to those sessions and ask for their takeaways.
Make sure to bring a laptop, tablet, or pen and paper to take notes. If there’s a topic you’re struggling with, write down questions that you think you might be able to ask at the end of the session. If you think of a question down the road, most presenters are happy to answer questions via email. Some will even send you resources. It never hurts to ask.
Final Thoughts
Attending a conference or a retreat this year is a great way to invest in yourself and your business. You’ll leave with ideas, connections, and energy to take your work to the next level. What’s more, they are not all dry and boring. I’ve had many fun experiences at conferences, exploring new cities, riding electric scooters, and trying unique foods. Last year, I even went on a boat ride to see the Disney Fireworks at a conference in Orlando
Beth Anne Kaczmarczyk is a cradle Catholic who is passionate in helping others in her community with her husband through the Knights of Columbus. She is a QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor and runs her own Bookkeeping firm. She is passionate about helping small business owners have less stress and grow their businesses. You can connect with her on Instagram, or join her monthly newsletter to receive a Monthly Bookkeeping Checklist!