I get asked often “what conferences should we attend?”. Easy, short answer is any conferences that bring together Great Content and Two groups: Peers and Captivators Why two groups? You learn different things from different people.
Peers help you by sharing current business examples and provide you with good feedback and validation. The output is ideas which are usually adaptable back in your office when you return.
Captivators are thought generators. They introduce you to something new – a new concept or fresh perspective on an established problem. They provoke thought, provide with you a lens to go back to your office and evaluate your operation and get you thinking.
Now which conferences have these types of people? Well almost every single one. So now how do you filter the good from the mediocre? I look for conferences that are organized for ways to develop some immediate relationships that I can keep active once the conference ends. Marketing Profs Digital Mixer does a great job on this front. I am currently attending this event, and this is my second year – best testament for events is repeat customers.
Some other events I enjoy attending: WOMMA Summit, Forum One, plus select company events like Bazaarvoice’s Social Commerce Summit
Travel budgets and time are tight, so you have to make choices. Conferences can be valuable to instill new ideas back into your business. What conferences or summits have you attended and recommend? Why?