The following is an article “Why you should go to live conferences”
by Marc Primo.
Nowadays if you want to learn a new skill, the internet will provide.
You can pretty much ask YouTube anything that comes to mind, and more than a few experts will be there to share their experience and point of view on the subject. So why would anyone bother with the time and expense of an in-person conference in 2018?
Its true that the internet gives us most of the information we will ever need, probably more, but there is a considerable part of live events the internet can't compete with.
Leveling up in life and business is not only about having the right or latest information. Conferences & live events–provide career-making opportunities that you won't find anywhere else.
Reasons why you should attend live events:
Meet Experts Face to Face
This really depends on the willingness we may have to socialize. You can go to 10 live events and talk to 0 people. You and your business can significantly improve when you’re sharing time and experiences with others that have gone before you, more so when these are recognized industry experts.
Networking
A conference is an excellent opportunity for peers to meet and forge new relationships. You never know who might be able to help you in the future or where your next big client might come from. Another thing to keep in mind is, if you are not there, your competitors probably will be.
Keeping up to date
Among the many perks of live events are the demos. Companies attending have booths set up to display tools or apps that can help solve or avoid industry problems. Sure you can find these online, but there is nothing better than a live demo and a few conversations with actual users to know if a solution is suited for you.
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
Doing things outside of our routines is hard, but more often than not it is worth the hassle. Look at it from a statistical point of view. If you do the same old routine every day, what are the chances of something changing for the better? Getting yourself into an uncomfortable situation is the only way to increase those odds. A little small talk never killed anyone.
Learn To Invest In Yourself
Money is always an issue, especially if you are a startup. The thing is the sooner we learn to invest in us the sooner you and your business will blossom. Change requires a catalyst, and sometimes these things require some cash. Admit to yourself you are worth the money and the many times you have wasted even more on a lame vacation that definitely gave you zero returns. Learning new skills and meeting likeminded individuals is a worthwhile investment. Once you get the hang of it, you will also learn to enjoy it and even look forward to the events.