There are dozens of ways to learn new things. So many, in fact, that you often don’t even need to leave the comfort of your office chair. But where’s the fun in that?
By not attending industry conferences and events, you run the risk of missing out on an incredible chance to take yourself to the next level. The learning opportunities here are simply too good to miss, and you won’t find them anywhere else. Below are just a few of the reasons why you need to nab yourself a ticket to an industry event or two.
Networking
Tweeting and emailing will only get you so far; there’s only so much you can connect with other people in your industry when there’s a screen and keyboard between you. There’s no substitution for meeting, connecting and talking with some in real life.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s over lunch, coffee or a cocktail or two in the evening, heading to a relevant conference allows you the opportunity to connect with new and potential prospects, clients and providers. If you do attend, be sure to mingle as much as you can. Although it’s easy to be drawn into lasting conversations, try to hit up as many people as you can. Try to form new relationships and bolster existing ones.
Or think of it this way; if you don’t go, then your best competitor may sit in your seat right next to the perfect potential customer.
Meet industry leaders face-to-face
We know they say ‘never meet your heroes’, but we don’t think that counts when it comes to business. Not all conferences will offer you the opportunity to get up close and personal with your idols, you’re probably going to be rubbing shoulders with some people who are making waves in your industry.
Whether you just want to take a selfie and boast with your work colleagues, share a budding idea with someone you admire, or make an important connection, the best place to do that is an industry conference.
Learning somewhere new
We’re not just talking about learning something new, but learning something new in a new place. When we’re sat at the same desk day after day, our brains get into a routine which makes it difficult for new information to be absorbed and retained. Sometimes we just need a different perspective.
If you’ve ever seen the film ‘Dead Poet’s Society’, you’ll know the memorable scene where Robin Williams gets all his students to stand on their desks as a different way of looking at things. Think of attending a conference like this, only less dramatic.
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, which is why mixing up environments is so important. Heading to someplace new can help us come up with new ideas and fresh ways of thinking, and that’s exactly what happens when you head to a conference.
Challenge yourself
Not only is it easy to get stuck in a rut, but it’s also easy to become too comfortable and safe. There’s a reason it’s called a ‘comfort zone’. Live events with (gasp!) other people around you force you out of this comfort zone, and to challenge yourself to do something you wouldn’t normally do.
Reading a blog post, listening to a podcast or watching an educational YouTube video doesn’t challenge you. And even if you’re not a born networker who loves live events, give it a go! You might surprise yourself.
Learn new tricks
When you’re sat at your desk with your laptop in front of you, absolutely everything is available to you instantly. But even if we feel like we can instantly learn anything with the internet, there’s still an awful lot of data and information that we either can’t fully understand, or that is nonsense keeping us from what we’re really looking for.
At a conference or industry event, each session is designed to be short and sweet, and to deliver the most information on a single subject to you quickly and efficiently. It allows you to cut through the insane amount of clutter out there and to walk away with something useful and helpful.
Looking to inspire people in your industry? Manchester Hall is the perfect venue for your next business conference.
Category: Blog