Selecting Conferences Wisely for Maximum Benefit
Every year in every industry there are multiple opportunities to attend training, seminars, and conferences. Some are a waste of time while others are exciting and motivating. Most fall in between those extremes so it can be difficult to select which ones are going to be worth the time, effort, and expenditure. Carefully reading descriptions and learning details about industry conferences is helpful when looking for a few key elements.
Organization
How information is placed on the website is a major indication of how well the conference is organized. Early enrollment offers, group rates for accommodations, and meaningful information regarding all aspects of the time span indicate a conference worth a second look. If the conference is held annually, look at previous years and get an idea of the satisfaction rate from those who have attended in the past.
Decide the Business Goals
Review the strategic plan for the business or go over the objectives identified at the last Board meeting. Selecting a Conference for healthcare professionals will result in maximum benefit if the topic aligns with the facility or medical practice goals. The information will be immediately applicable and will not end up in a folder with the notes and handouts from past conferences attended. Once those folders are placed in a filing cabinet or bottom desk draw, they rarely see the light of day ever again.
Do Sessions Match the Stated Topic?
This is where many professionals are disappointed when conferences start. Many attendees glance at session titles and do not read descriptions. They may think they are enrolled in a session that deals with the latest trends in healthcare analytics only to be sitting through a boring presentation on marketing materials. The topic technically relates to analytics in terms of utilizing information for educational purposes and drawing people to community classes but does not address the analytical process specifically.
Speakers
Research the speakers scheduled to attend to give keynote speeches or lead breakout sessions. They should be experts in the field of which they will be speaking. Years of experience, current or previous positions held, and industry recognition for studies conducted or published works are what attendees want to be seeking. Brief biographies, how many children they have, and from where they hail is not an indication of top-quality speakers.
