If you are new to the business world, or you have recently just entered a new industry, then chances are you are having to sort through a sea of business conferences and trade show invitations.
Sometimes it can feel like the sort of thing you can push onto the back burner while grinding away at the list of deadlines that are already weighing down your desk.
For some people, this even becomes a habit that becomes ingrained. They put off conferences, mind the to-do list and satisfy themselves with a consistent if unspectacular bottom line.
Still, there are more opportunities to be found in these business conferences and tradeshows than meets the eye. These are just a few of the benefits that you can find when you attend industry conferences.
Reason Number 1: New Ideas
Keynote speakers, breakout sessions, presentations, and group activities abound at tradeshows and conferences. Anyone of which could spark exactly the new idea that you need to take your career or your business to the next level.
Reason Number 2: The Chance To Tap Into Industry Experts
Keynote speakers and other industry presenters typically bring years of experience as well as expertise in their field. Beyond the information they present to the group at large, you may also get the chance to rub elbows with them and glean new information. Sometimes even something as simple as sitting with them at the same lunch table can open up new information that you just can’t find from a basic Google search.
It’s also an opportunity to connect with them on social media. Whether it’s through portals like LinkedIn, Facebook, or an industry newsletter, being able to tap into their special information can prove invaluable in the here-and-now, as well as into the future.
Reason Number 3: Social Media And Other Networking Opportunities
In some industries, it can be hard to tell who’s who, and who the big fish really is, until you meet them in person. The chance to rub elbows with peers and industry experts helps you understand what the best sources are, who they are paying attention to, and developing more connections throughout the industry. In some of these cases, a person you meet at one conference today might end up being your boss or a coworker at the new job you take tomorrow.
There are also business conferences and tradeshows that can open you up to potential referrals, that you just can’t get anywhere else. Passing out your business card, hosting a booth, or sponsoring some aspect of an event is a great way to increase your company’s exposure to a new client as well as potential partners.
Reason Number 4: Keeping Up With Your Competition
Expos, tradeshows, and other industry events are a great way to draw in new business or maintain your company’s reputation. If you continually pass up these opportunities, chances are good your competitors will take your place.
That means they are the ones adding to their network. They are the ones increasing their visibility to potential clients and partners. They are the ones expanding their horizons, while yours stay limited to the status quo.
Reason Number 5: Gaining A Fresh Perspective
When you drive the same commute and sit in the same office day after day, you become conditioned to doing business as usual. Human beings are creatures of routine, and we will dial into our comfort zones with practiced ease.
Breaking out of that comfort zone, not only opens you up to new opportunities, it opens up your mind to learning new information. This is the perfect chance to shake up your routine, and open the door to new ideas for the future.
Reason Number 6: Going Beyond What The Internet Has To Offer
With the plethora of information available on the internet, it can be tempting to think that it’s the only source of information you need to rely on. Sure, chances are good that search engines can help you find anything you want to know. Yet what they struggle or even fail to do is expose you to the things you don’t know.
Meeting an industry expert, a peer from another company or someone with more industry experience at a business conference can make you more aware of key topics, as well as how to implement them at this stage in your career. Tradeshows and expos excel at this, as they often have multiple booths, displays, and presentations that feature new products, technology, or other cutting edge services.
Reason Number 7: Meeting Like-Minded People
It can be hard to work the same position day-in and day-out. Especially, if you are a relative specialist in your field, or you don’t have the opportunity to work in a team setting. Being able to network with other individuals who hold similar positions or responsibilities, can give you insights on things you can do to maximize your performance.
This doesn’t always have to be something profound. It might be something as simple as chatting with someone over coffee, and they tell you about the new app they’ve been using or a new industry service that benefits them. If nothing else, it might just turn out to be a chance to connect with someone who goes through many of the same things you do on an average day.
Reason Number 8: A Chance To Let Your Hair Down
A lot of business conferences and tradeshows have events like mixers or even entertainment to give everyone a chance to unwind. Now, this isn’t the sort of thing where you drink two bottles of wine and everyone is taking pictures of you singing in the fountain of the hotel lobby. Think of it as a chance to take a vacation away from your usual daily grind, while still technically working. You might even meet a few people who get the kind of jokes about your job that you thought only you understood! Â
Reason Number 9: Give Away Items
Some business conferences and especially expos hand out items to attendees. Sometimes they are simple, like a string bag with new promotional item samples. Other times it can be some serious swag. If you like getting your hands on some freebies a tradeshow, expo or business conference is a great place to get a taste of something new.
Reason Number 10: Learning About A New City
Unless the business conference is being hosted by your company or in your hometown, then chances are you need to travel for it. Of course, you aren’t always going to be pressed to fill every single minute with business items. Downtime at the end of the day, or even planning to stay over for a few days after the conference can sometimes transform a conference into a miniature vacation.
