Business Travel: That’s why Business Travelers should attend Conferences

 

We live in a hyper connected and fast moving corporate world, and the chosen currency in such an environment is knowledge.

Conferences are the unique intersection of travel and opportunity for business professionals; deliver not only network but a way to stay in the loop, expand partnerships (strategically), and even develop career.

Digital meetings and webinars do their thing well, sure, but there’s nothing quite like attending conferences in person.

In this article I wanted to talk about why conferences are such a fantastic investment and something every business traveller should prioritize on their professional calendar.

1. Face-to-Face Networking

Networking tops this list of why business professionals travel to conferences.

One benefit of in person conversations is that you can see, hear, taste and touch them in a much more dynamic, engaging and memorable way than you can over a virtual chat screen.

Benefits of networking at conferences:

• Form life long relationships with your peers, your clients, and industry leaders.
• You are also in a position to meet potential investors, collaborators and suppliers
• Have spontaneous conversations, with the chance that you’ll be able to open the door to real business opportunities.
• In reality, many of the largest business deals and partnerships get kicked off over coffee breaks or post event dinners.

2. Find Industry Insights, Competitive Intelligence and Local Market Data

Conferences pull together the smartest brain in the space — subject matter experts, innovators, thought leaders.

While you’ll get great information published online, live sessions and panels help give you fresh perspectives you may not have otherwise.

Why this matters:

• Get up to date with emerging trends, policies, and technology.
• Multiple case studies and success stories from the industry veterans will teach you.
• Receive early access to market tools, software, or forecasts, relating to your field of industry.

Well, info puts you a step ahead of your competition.

3. The second is to Build Brand Presence and Personal Credibility.

Conferences are a platform for entrepreneurs, business development executives and consultants to show off your brand and prove your credibility with the world.

• Distribute marketing materials.
• Booths and B2B events are an opportunity to represent your company.
• To help you improve your authority in the field, you can speak or present.
• That visibility alone of just attending regularly will bring you to the top of the professional community.

4. Clients and Partners discussion face to face.

A great deal of business travelling involves more than one purpose. Attending conferences is an opportune time to book in some face to face meetings with clients or partners you already know that are also present at the show.

Face-to-face meetings help:

• Strengthen client relationships.
• Close pending deals faster.
• Instead you can address concerns or negotiate in a more personal setting.

It’s also a great way to re connect with people you’ve only met virtually.

5. Professional Development and Learning Opportunities

Other conferences have separate workshops, masterclasses or training sessions, facilitated by people who are expert at what they do.

The practical skills you develop in these sessions can be used right away at work.

From a workshop on leadership to a demo of new software or a strategy meeting, the hands on learning is likely to be far more effective that studying after online courses or from a manual.

6. Stay Motivated and Inspired

Conference traveling breaks the routine office work monotony. Ideally placed around passionate professionals, new ideas and dynamic discussions can make you more creative and help you feel more alive.

Attendees often return home:

• More focused and energetic.
• With ways of using new ideas and strategies.
• Interested in sharing insights with their teams.

It can, if the work is inspiring, have a ripple effect throughout you’re entire organization.

7. Get Used to the Idea of Exploration

Conferences held abroad or in your target markets give you advance exposure into potential new regions.

Alternatively, these can be opportunities to expand or to invest in the new regions.

You’ll get:

• Ownership of a sense of local business culture.
• Regional information and demand.
• Opportunities to connect with local partners and service providers to purchase them.

Example: If you are in Asia that Singapore fintech conference or health tech summit in Dubai could be your gateway into the whole Asian or Middle Eastern markets.

8. Increase ROI Through Targeted Engagement

Smart business travel means tying your conference goals to outcomes which can be measured.

Increase your ROI from these trip tips:

• There are conference apps or attendee lists to plan meetings.
• Whatever, set goals (e.g. number of leads, partnerships, vendors).
• After the event, follow up with every new contact.

Done well, planning your conference attendance can make that investment yield a huge positive return.

9. Conference Travel as a means of Team Building

If company teams, departments or larger groups attend a conference together, it boosts:

• Team cohesion and morale.
• Tools that allow us to share learning that we can implement back home.
• A sense of collective achievement.

To build that carry over to the road, have a team building dinner or a local tour.

Are you in need of organization for team travel logistics? That’s where MICEcafe Journey comes in.

10. Enjoy the Travel Experience

In fact, though the intention of business travel is to do professional work, the act of travel itself represents an added value.

However, exploring new cities, cultures, and cuisines can also enrich your personal life.

Combine business with leisure (a.k.a. “bleisure”):

• Extend your stay by a day or two.
• Visit local landmarks after sessions.
• Experience cultural performances or regional cuisine.

Bonus Tip: Streamline Business Travel with

It’s a pain to manage business travel, but particularly for conferences. Since flights and hotel bookings, venue logistics, and group coordination can be a bit troublesome, it’s always better to have someone you can rely on.

MICEcafe Journey is a one-stop solution to professional and organizations where that’s why they choose:

• Business travel planning
• Corporate group bookings
• Conference logistics and venue coordination
• Customized itineraries with cost-effective options

Don’t worry about the complexity, let MICEcafe sort it out so you can network, learn, and grow your business.

Conclusion: Conferences are indeed a good business investment.

For many people, attending conferences is another line item for the travel budget, but when you think about it, it’s strategic investment in professional growth, business development and even brand visibility.

Conferences can literally open doors to partnerships, insights and markets that you’re missing otherwise, whether you’re a startup founder, corporate executive or freelance consultant.

Therefore, if an invitation for a major industry event falls in your lap, don’t stop to question it.

Pack your business cards, book your tickets, because we’re taking you on a journey that’s going to take your career to new heights.

When you want to plan your next conference trip, think smart, think MICEcafe Journey.

Check your business travel options today at MICEcafe