Why Business Conventions are Important

I just received a list of "truisms" from my Dad. You know, one of those email lists that make the rounds.

Here's an item that caught my attention.

"Business conventions are important because they demonstrate how many people a company can operate without."

This is funny because it's partially true. I've been on conventions before, as have my staff. Our reasons for going were noble -get up to date on the latest technology, see new applications at work, generate new ideas, network with peers and of course, have a little relaxation time away from the office with the team.

Meanwhile, it's business as usual back at the office. Projects get done, questions get answered, customers get served... It does cause one to wonder whether you can really justify the expense.

It also seems to be the case that;

a) The more conferences you go on, the more your staff want to go on.
b) If two people went to a specific conference last year, 5 people want to go this year.

It can get out of hand quickly.

Here are some things I've tried, to create some balance between treating conventions as a learning opportunity vs. a paid vacation.

1. Choose your conferences very carefully. If you haven't attended a specific conference before, use your network to determine whether anyone else has attended and found it worthwhile.
2. If you decide to attend a conference for the first time, send one person, not an army.
3. Have some clear trip objectives before getting on the plane.
4. Have conference attendees prepare a trip report, so they can share their learning with the rest of the team upon their return. (This also helps you as a manager, better understand what your employee garnered from the experience.)
5. Integrate conferences into your annual personnel review and development conversations - so your employee knows how the experience is expected to affect/improve their job performance or their resource network.

How do you handle convention attendance at your company?