Conference Conundrum

​Are you like me and question if a conference really is the best choice to go to for training? It could be a question on cost. It is expensive to cover travel, lodging, and per diem when it comes to attending a conference. If you are in public safety most training is around a “certification” course of some sort and a conference does not fit that mold.

​To quickly answer the question “Should I attend a conference?”, the answer is an astounding YES!
 
Conferences offer so much more than traditional training here are some things you will gain from attending. 

---

​Light that fire inside for your job

​When you get stuck in the mundane day to day of your cruiser, desk, rig, etc. you can benefit from having your passion reignited. When like-minded individuals surround you it helps you get in touch with that kid inside who got into the job in the first place. It is easy to catch onto the excitement when you are in a group setting and the excitement is about your job!

Meet and Network

​I always hear this “I don’t want to network and meet new people” when I am attending conferences with colleagues, but the catch is you do by osmosis. Some people have no problems meeting new folks but that just isn’t the case for everyone. Some of us like to be in our little bubbles, but when people surround you from your profession you just well… you just click and the conversations just happen. 

Become the leader

​When you have the opportunity to be in the middle of subject matter experts and attend workshops on the latest trends and info, you will become the expert for your department. Sometime you have to get out of the ordinary setting of training to truly sharpen up your skills. By attending you get face to face access to experts in your field. 

Choose the random

​If there is now session that matches what you want pick a random one. I have always found value and something from every session I have attended. The random ones often leave me with a new perspective or idea that I can implement immediately. 

Spread and share

​When you expand your roots in your field is when you can grow. This growth of yourself and new knowledge will inadvertently spread to others. Take the new ideas, knowledge, and excitement back with you and share it with your organization. This can help you build self-confidence and set you apart in your organization. Also by sharing this information to your organization can help plant the seed for you to attending future trainings and conferences. 

​Conferences are a great way to learn about the topics you want to hear about in an open, judgment free setting. Attending will get you connected with experts and like-minded individuals in your field to further your career. This is a great way for you to invest in yourself and add the fuel to your fire to help others.