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Why professional conferences are good for business (Mary’s picks) – Mary T. O’Sullivan
By Mary T. O’Sullivan
“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.” – Carl Jung
When professionals gather for a specific purpose, like a conference or convention, sometimes magic happens. Certainly, learning takes place, whether you stumble upon a brand-new idea, or learn you were wrong on a thought or action you held as true.
Sometimes you sit through a conference session bored to tears or maybe in disagreement with the panel or speakers, and you realize you are not the only person in the room with the same thoughts. Because you strike up a conversation with the person next to you or at the coffee bar and you may discover, they, too, share your views. When you consider that you’re giving up a day of work, and your company is paying hundreds and maybe thousands of dollars for you to attend, you’re glad this day isn’t just another waste of time.
If you’re spending eight hours of a workday in a packed auditorium filled with hundreds or thousands of other professionals, it better be worth your while. In the last year, I’ve attended many conferences, most recently, The Rhode Island Small Business Summit and the RISE Women’s Leadership conference. Both events provided informative speakers and interesting displays, but the most valuable aspect of these gatherings are the people I was fortunate to meet and chat with, even for a few minutes.
Although venues can be noisy, and you must shout to be heard, valuable conversations took place. I learned how people use their pricing strategies, some new marketing techniques, and many other creative ideas for small businesses. The attendees at both events were engaged, enthusiastic, and willing to share their wisdom as well as ask questions.
People were curious and wanted to know more about me, my book, and my work as an executive coach. I met many Rhode Island businesspeople who stopped to chat because they had seen or heard me somewhere else. I could only muse Rhode Island is a small state, and everyone knows everyone else. How wonderful to be out and about meeting these people willing to exchange ideas and offer guidance on the most effective ways to do business in this state.
For the remainder of 2023, I’ll be attending three other conferences:
The Rhode Island Manufacturing Association’s (RIMA) Annual Conference on November 9 and the Women at the Helm Series, November 14, both at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick. I’ll also be attending the 2023 Massachusetts Conference for Women held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center on December 14.
While the Rhode Island Conferences draw just under 2,000 people, the Massachusetts Conference for Women (MCW) attracts almost 10,000 people. The MCW by far has the most impressive assembly of speakers, exhibitors, and attendees. Each year surpasses the last. One year, the keynote speaker was Maya Angelou, Hillary Clinton graced the stage in 2014, and 2022 featured Georgia gubernatorial candidate, Stacey Abrams. Presidential historian, Doris Kearns Goodwin addressed the crowd virtually in 2020. Other luminaries include human rights activist, Mala Yousafzai, author and executive coach, Marshall Goldsmith, and human rights lawyer, Amal Clooney.
The learning and edification gained from these speakers enlightened and educated every one of the 10,000 or so attendees. A conference of this magnitude also appeals to a pretty sophisticated crowd, so the opportunities for boosting the collective wisdom of all participants increases exponentially with each conversation and exchange. For instance, I learned more about personal finance, business and entrepreneurship, health, work/life balance from sitting next to and encountering others casually at lunch or at exhibitors’ booths than at any other venue. With such a variety of expertise open to informal discussions and conversations, attending this conference seems imperative. I look forward to the next one, coming up in the next few months.
So, put on your business attire, and show up at a professional conference. You’ll network, learn, and meet experts that can expose you to new ideas, expand your business, and refresh your thinking. Check out the list of upcoming conferences at 10 Times, an events and conference site. Attending a professional conference can indeed transform you and help you plan your future.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
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Read all Mary’s columns here: https://rinewstoday.com/mary-t-osullivan-msol-pcc-shrm-scp/
Mary T. O’Sullivan, Master of Science, Organizational Leadership, International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach, Society of Human Resource Management, “Senior Certified Professional. Graduate Certificate in Executive and Professional Career Coaching, University of Texas at Dallas. Member, Beta Gamma Sigma, the International Honor Society. Advanced Studies in Education from Montclair University, SUNY Oswego and Syracuse University. Mary is also a certified Six Sigma Specialist, Contract Specialist, IPT Leader and holds a Certificate in Essentials of Human Resource Management from SHRM.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marytosullivan/
www.encoreexecutivecoaching.com