Value of Expos, Conferences, and Conventions

“Should I stay or Should I go?”  This was the gist of a recent email from a friend.  My friend had a concern that a conference wasn’t exactly in line with their area of interest. 

Here is my philosophy…  Life is about relationships. 

Conferences are an opportunity to build new relationships around a common interest.  The context of the show may be a little off, but it provides the backdrop and opportunity to strengthen the relationships you already have and build new ones.  I am confident the relationships you make or foster will last longer than the information you learned at the conference.

Go for it!  Attend an expo, conference, or convention with the intention of meeting old friends, making new ones, and learning a little something from the conference itself. 

 I will speak at Podcamp Ohio (June), Podcamp Boston 3 (July), and the New Media Expo (August).  Another corporate podcaster has submitted a proposal for us to speak at Web 2.0 in NYC (16-19 Sep).  If that comes through, I don’t think I’d be able to make it to the Blog World Expo (20-21 Sep).  The proposal deadline for Blog World Expo is 14 May.