Torn Between Two Conferences....How to Choose

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Last year I wrote a blog - 30 Ways to Attend a Conference...On Purpose! - this blog is assuming you have decided to attend a conference and now you’re in the process of making your arrangements…

Here’s another real world quandary…what if two conferences in your wheelhouse happen in the same city on the same day? Today, I'd like to add to that and discuss in a bit more detail how do you decide which conference is best for you…That’s what’s going on this year between SHRM– Atlanta and ATD Atlanta this year! (Same city. Same day!)

Both have compelling offerings… and only you can answer the questions below that will help you sort through which option is best suited for you and your professional objectives/goals…read on…

Attendee

• Which conference offers CEUs – continuing education credits - for attending?
• Which conference will allow me to rub elbows with people whom need to know me…?
• Which conference seems to be offering breakouts/keynote speakers that will help me in my own professional journey?
• Which conference offers topics that will put me in a "stretch zone" for my own professional development?
• Which conference has pre-post events that will allow me to extend my investment? 
• Which conference is most aligned with my budget?
• Which conference will be easier to get to? (When you live in a city like Atlanta traffic considerations are relevant!)
• Catch-all - If I fast forward 6 months from the conference, WHICH will have the biggest impact on my goals / objectives?

Volunteers

• Which conference has the best "deal" / payback? (Discounts? Free Day(s)?)
• Which conference will my gifts be best applied? (Standing in a hall with a big question mark on your vest might be great for those whom have questions, or, could you be a room monitor and soak in the speakers' insights WHILE being a resource to the hosts, or, working in the Exhibitor hall and get to know the exhibitors, or...)
• Which conference will allow me to give back AND help me achieve my goals / objectives?

Exhibitors

• Which conference will have the attendees aligned with my "ideal client" profile?
• Which conference will have the most foot traffic?
• Which conference seems to get "why" I'll be there?
• Which conference markets my sponsorship leading up, during and after?

Fin

If you're honest with yourself and answer each, you should be able to identify a preference as to which conference will be best suited for achieving your goals/objectives.

Regardless of which conference you decide, DO attend one of them!

My best to your quest!

Mark
I believe each of us is a gift. I create trusted relationships where individuals, teams and leaders NAME, CLAIM and AIM their gifts to achieve optimum ​performance.

​Interested to Learn About Yourself or Your Team? Mark is a Certified CliftonStrengths Coach, Facet5 and TotalSDI Facilitator and happy to discuss your situation.

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