Top 10 Reasons to Attend a Conference (Especially Symposium)

1.     Networking Opportunities

You meet people who share your interests and work in your field, which can open new doors for you. Sometimes, a simple "hello" turns into a great connection. Have you met other CALP Staff online in a training? Or in a Connections Café? Here’s your chance to meet them face to face… and even grab a coffee or go for supper together! Want to learn more about how to have some great conversations during your time at the conference? Check out this blog about Breaking the Ice in Getting to Know Others. 

Experts and leaders often join these events, making it easy to ask questions and learn from their stories. You might even meet someone who inspires your next big idea. Whether it’s a fellow CALP Staff member, a funder, main stage speaker or breakout session presenter — make the most of the learning by having conversations related to your work!

Sharing your own experiences at a conference helps others get to know you better as well. Building your network now makes things easier later. Meeting other CALP Staff who live near you opens up possibilities of partnering and supporting one another in all sorts of ways from sharing instructors, referring learners or having someone to brainstorm with who understands the community you work in.

2.     Personal Development

Presenting or asking questions at a conference pushes you out of your comfort zone. This helps you grow and become braver.

You learn from other people’s journeys and challenges, which can teach you useful lessons. Hearing their stories gives you new ways to handle problems.

3.     Learning and Education

Conferences offer talks from experts who share important insights, updates and research. Listening to them helps you stay current.

Workshops let you ask questions and discuss ideas in small groups, making learning more interactive. You have access to immediate answers and feedback.

Panel discussions let you hear different sides of a topic, which broadens your knowledge. This makes it easier to understand complex subjects. Symposium has included some great panel discussions over the years where attendees can learn from “real life” experiences and growth others in the CALP system have experienced.

Sessions provide resources or notes as takeaways, so you can keep learning after the event is over. Reviewing these helps you remember key ideas. Many presenters share their handouts on the CALP Portal so that you can deepen your learning from sessions you attended, and even those you didn’t get a chance to!

4.     Skill Development

Many events include hands-on sessions to try out new tools or methods. Practicing skills this way helps you learn faster.

You get a chance to improve both your soft and hard skills, which are important for any job. This makes you more ready for future challenges. 

Sometimes you find talents you never knew you had while joining different workshops. Exploring new things can be exciting and rewarding.

5.  Exposure to New Ideas

Meeting people from different backgrounds and communities helps you see your work from new angles. Different perspectives may help you solve tough problems.

Speakers share fresh ideas and creative ways to approach common issues, which can inspire you to try new things. This keeps your work interesting.

Brainstorming with others at conferences often leads to unique solutions. Teamwork makes it easier to think outside the box. A great time to brainstorm is during meals or breaks.

Listening to discussions about future trends shows you what might happen in your field. Knowing these ideas helps you prepare early.

     6.  Professional Recognition     

Presenting your work at a conference shows others what you have achieved and what you care about. Recognition builds your reputation. Haven’t presented yet at Symposium? Be sure to keep an eye out in the Fall for the next Call for Presenters request.

Feedback from other attendees helps you improve your projects and understand your strengths. Honest opinions make your work stronger. Each presenter receives a copy of the evaluations from participants who attended their session, so that they can celebrate the wins and learn ideas of how to adjust for next time around.

Your name on a conference program or website gives you more visibility. This helps when applying for future opportunities.

     7.  Industry Trends and Forecasts

Special talks on trends show where your field is heading in the next few years. Staying updated means you are never left behind. Experts explain what changes you should watch out for and how to handle them. Knowing this keeps you prepared.

You learn about new technologies and tools before they become widely used. Being early gives you a big advantage.

Discussions on forecasts help you make better choices for your organization. Planning ahead is easier with this knowledge. It’s great to bring this information back to your Board in order to inform their discussions and strategies for upcoming programming, partnerships, and more.

     8.  Motivation and Inspiration

Listening to success stories may challenge you to want to work harder and reach your own goals. Motivation can push you through tough days.

Meeting passionate people shows you that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Inspiration helps you believe in yourself.

Seeing how others solved their problems teaches you to never give up. Persistence is a key to success.

Sharing your own story can encourage someone else, which feels rewarding. Helping others inspires you as well.

      9. Access to Resources and Tools

You can ask questions about resources and tools specifically related to CALP programming and get honest answers before deciding what to use. This helps you pick the best options to meet your needs.

      10. Community

At the meals, during sessions, and at breaks — enjoying time with others makes the whole event better.

You can make strong connections with fellow attendees from other places in the province. These connections can last a lifetime.

Sharing laughs and stories at a conference helps you feel like you belong. A sense of community makes everything more enjoyable.

The memories you make during the conference often become a highlight of your CALP year. Enjoying yourself matters!