My friends and family often ask, “Why do you attend all of these conferences.” I used to get defensive in answering because [I felt} what they were not verbalizing was their opinion that I was wasting my time and money.
Then it occurred to me. I do not have to explain what I do: a) I am grown and flown, as one of the GenFab tribe describes themselves, and b) ‘they’ are not paying for my attendance. Like I said, I thought this question was a value judgment rather than a real question to be answered. I considered the source and felt “they” did not have a clue about what I was trying to be a part of and I tuned them out.
It is however a valid question. Having just returned from the New Media Expo 2013 in Las Vegas, billed as The Future of Content, Community and Commerce, this is Part I covering my 10 reasons for attending new media conferences like this:
1. To meet and network with others who are not in my geographic location.
When would I have the opportunity to share my take with Scott Monty, the global head of social media for Ford Motor Company, on the beauty of the company’s millenial-focused campaigns and encourage him to urge Ford to integrate more midlifers into their advertising but at an event like this?
2. To educate yourself and to practice what you are learning with those that speak the same language.
I know something about learning other languages. To some extent, I have become fluent in nerd-speak. I love it!!. But even more, I love being able to communicate using the social tools to make things happen that benefit friends and family. Who doesn’t want an app, for example, that makes their live easier if it does no harm. Walking a conference Exhibit Hall to see how others have turned their thoughts into tools warms my heart and quickens my pulse.
3. To party with people when you are not asking for anything, there is nothing at stake and to discover if there is any synergy between you and them.
Just as power business continues to be conducted on the golf courses around the world, the same is true in New Media at these conferences. I am not even on the inside of that process. But even I know there is always the official conference, the unconference, reunions of those that are yoked digitally and the private parties between the big money people and rock stars, just as starters. But you never know when your inclusion day will come. So go and be prepared.
4. To travel and enjoy the opportunity to stretch and express yourself.
When I first began to travel abroad at 21, I realized I could re-create myself. Okay not entirely anew. But I was not confined to that person who grew up on Genesee Street and to the limited understanding of family and friends of either who I was or could be. I could stretch into myself. Conferences allow this. You can walk up to someone you do not know, stick your hand out and try to get them to see you. Learning how to do this has helped me grow in other aspects of my life.
5. To meet the technicians who create the applications you use
Conferences offer you a chance to give meaningful feedback to people who create the things you like and/or dislike. They/we like this. In this exchange sometime there is room for a working relationship to grow.
6. To conduct your own primary research about how others convert the same data you have in your possession into knowledge so that you can expand your thinking into the future
Just knowing that an app to create video without having to become a competent or expert video editor means I now have expanded my opportunities. I do not have to hire anyone to begin visually storytelling. My power and influence to my tribe expands.
7. To hear it several times before value of data converts to information you can use.
The New Media Expo for Content Creator program that I attended included both beginner and intermediate offerings. As I revisited sessions on the intermediate level, I realized I have reached a level of proficiency that includes the subtleties of syntax. This occurred to me during a relevant and eye-opening conversation I had with a global sales rep regarding an intuitive metrics application that actually made sense. These conversations happen in spaces that generally do not include my neighborhood.
8. To avoid tunnel vision.
When you work alone you get tunnel vision. You begin to think you are in this alone and that you cannot be understood. It’s not that. It’s just that most of the people around you are not interested in what interests you. I learned at a conference there is somewhere to go digitally when you outgrown your immediate friends like Google +
9. Fun
Nerds rock too.
10. To increase your personal power.
This is called progress. Depending upon where you are in life, you might call this the next page, turning the page, moving on. It really doesn’t matter what you call it. What matters is that you continue to grow. Conferences are one way to foster growth.
Tomorrow I will submit Part II of this post with a synopsis of what I actually learned and from whom I learned these tidbits such as Craig Duswalt, C.C. Chapman, Amy Jo Martin, Shari Higgles, Guy Kawasaki, Cliff Ravenscraft, Bill Belew to name but a few of the presenters.
Do you consider conferences a waste of time and money?
Just One Boomer (Suzanne) says
This post really resonated for me. As a relatively newly minted Baby Boomer blogger (trained as a lawyer back when we wrote briefs on yellow legal pads), I have realized that I am responsible for educating myself in this business. I want it to be a business and it rankles when my husband refers to it as my hobby. So, I attended the press day at the NY Times Travel Show in NY and went to the social media sessions and networked. I’m going to TBEX in Toronto in June. I’m reinventing, retooling and self-educating. And, it’s fun!
boomrwiz says
Hi Suzanne
Thank you for visiting dev.indietravelmedia.com/wizdom. You hit the nail on its head: I feel I am responsible for educating myself as a social media entrepreneur who blogs, writes, and does marketing strategy. I must talk to a lot of people, not just about blogging but also the business of blogging. I have always been into the humanities and I am certain that as one trained as a lawyer, your interests run across borders. So yes, we are on the same page. I have a new post to write based on my 31 year old college professor son’s referral to my “imaginary friends” on social media. They are not imaginary.
Cathy Chester says
I adore what you have to say and how you say it. If I won the lottery I would go to all of the necessary and fun conferences! You have whetting my appetite for going to one further than my own backyard. PS I LOVE the photo in your header. Where was that taken? You go, girl! Kudos and welcome to GenFab!
boomrwiz says
Hi Cathy
I took that photo in the exhibit hall of NMX-Las Vegas at the Army booth. The first time I went to Blog World, which is what it was originally called, I thought it was interesting that the Army was always present. One of the creators of this conference has a soft spot and history with the Army. So for me it opened my mind to the work of bloggers on the Army’s behalf. The photo is staged but I love it when I overcome my fears and jump into the unknown. Thank you re GenFab. Looking forward to meeting you.
Patricia says
Yes you would have loved it Helene. Sometimes it’s hard to know what you know. These conferences help you to understand yourself and your vision…. I think.
Helene Bludman says
Aarrgghhh! I am so jealous. Sounds like exactly the kind of conference I love. Is it always in Vegas? Is it held every year? I must try to go next time.