Broaden Your Perspective - Attend Industry Conferences

Vince Poscente has a unique perspective on industry conferences since he speaks at about 80 of them a year. (Some of you will remember that he was a keynote speaker at the 2005 NAMSS conference.)

In a recent article he stated: If you are not attending some industry meetings, odds are you're not truly in the business. You don't necessarily have to get involved on the board or committees, although that would be justifiable if you gain value. You don't have to attend everything, although the more you explore, the more you get. You especially aren't required to conform! The idea is that you allow yourself a broader perspective. Broader than your inner circle can provide.

Step up in your industry.

1. Step up to your local industry meetings. At the local level you will have a collection of colleagues at various levels of experience.

2. Step up to your state or provincial industry meetings. At the state or provincial level, association members (who make the effort to attend) are normally people who make things happen.

3. Step up to your national association meetings. The cream rises to the top. The networking, breakouts, keynotes, tradeshow suppliers and attendees are normally the pinnacle of what is available in your industry.

Since the NAMSS Conference Committee is currently hard at work planning our 2007 Annual Conference in New York City, we say, Hear hear!