How Conferences and Conventions Help Change the Industry
Conferences and conventions are fantastic career-building tools no matter what your industry. They are events at which you can network, self-promote, learn, teach and even, sometimes, shop. They are important whether you are just starting out or have become a known entity within your field. Here are a few things that you can do to help you get the most out of your next industry event.
Finding Collaborators and Co-Workers
Hyper-local/neighborhood events are great places to find other startups and freelancers who might want to join forces and share expenses for office space, supplies, etc. After all, working at home alone is more expensive now than it has ever been. Increases in residential and commercial energy costs have made it difficult, however, to afford anything else.
This is particularly true if working in an eco-friendly building is a priority for you (as opposed to something older and not up to date on factors like low VOC paints, renewable energy, etc). The good news is that globally, 94% of architects, engineers and contractors report being engaged in green practices. The more challenging news is that green property owners can charge more for their spaces knowing they are in high demand. A 2008 study found that net operating income per square foot for Energy Star properties was 5.9% higher than for non-Energy Star properties due to higher rents, higher occupancy rates, and lower operating expenses.
Speaking of energy use, here is a statistic that might surprise you: In the U.S., there are four industries responsible for approximately 90% of all industrial materials and wastes generated. You might have a great idea for how to reduce that industrial waste but no idea how to manufacture or market that idea. Going to conferences and conventions is a great way to meet people whose strengths complement your own. Sure, you could search them out online, but events provide a (mostly) casual atmosphere in which you can talk and spitball ideas off of each other to see if you’d be good partners. This is far less pressure than you’d experience trying to arrange a formal meeting with someone.
Hobnobbing and Mentorships
Conferences and conventions are great places to meet your industry’s major players and high rollers. These events provide an environment where introductions are encouraged. If there is someone whose brain you’ve always wanted to pick, introduce yourself and invite that person out for coffee or a meal. Offer to pay in exchange for asking for some advice. Even if you only spend a half an hour talking, that is a connection that could serve you well later on and often in ways you might not expect.
Many industry events even facilitate these types of introductions and advising sessions. At OryCon, for example, hopeful novelists are paired with agents and publishers and given advice on their manuscripts, query letters, etc. They even have the chance to pitch their projects to the pros for representation! It’s like a job fair but for writers and attendees get a lot more out of it than a few fliers.
Even if you and your industry hero don’t become instant besties, you could meet someone with whom you can form a mutually beneficial relationship. For example, you could meet other newbies in your industry and form a group to help encourage each other and hold each other accountable for staying on task and actually making progress on projects. This is something the XOXO Festival is famous for accomplishing.
Moving on Up
Finally, conferences and conventions are fabulous places to show off your own expertise. Email the facilitators and offer to participate in panels or as a moderator. Better yet, pitch your own panel or meet and greet event. You will establish yourself as an industry player to others and that will definitely help you build your network and, by extension, your business!
There is no doubt that going to conferences and conventions is necessary, but these are some of the ways in which it can be beneficial. We’ve given you examples specific to certain industries (energy, publishing) as well as some examples that are widely applicable. What is the biggest reason you attend your industry’s events?