{"id":6706,"date":"2019-09-09T18:32:58","date_gmt":"2019-09-09T22:32:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/?p=6706"},"modified":"2026-01-16T06:08:33","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T11:08:33","slug":"how-get-most-next-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/how-get-most-next-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"How to get the most out of your next conference"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We all know that conferences are a great opportunity to network with our peers, learn and grow. Keynote presentations inspire and motivate. Training workshops introduce you to new accounting technology. Breakout sessions teach you how you can step up results. And the connections you make can lead to big breakthroughs in your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The question is, do you take the time to prepare and plan ahead of the conference to make sure you can maximize the value of your time and investment?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 2011, I have substantially increased my revenue year after year by dedicating time and resources to attending conferences and networking events. The secret to gaining as much as knowledge as possible and making valuable connections every time comes down to three things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Preparation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Planning<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Showing up<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    This is a guide to getting the most out of your next conference, which is essentially the process I use for every conference and industry event. Hopefully these preparation tips will help you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Get More Out of Your Software<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    While there are some great support resources available to customers of accounting software, sometimes you just can\u2019t beat getting some face time with product managers and customer success gurus that can help you push your software to its limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Review the conference program in advance and identify the people you want to meet and sessions you want to attend to help you fill in any gaps so you can get more out of your software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Make a list of questions you want to ask or tool integrations you want to research ahead of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This is one of the main reasons I prefer going to a conference and asking my questions in person because you can check out the new apps that can help you and your customers save time. In some conferences sessions we can even bring up the software on a computer screen and brainstorm a solution to a problem I might be having. It\u2019s so much easier to have everyone under one roof for a couple of days to solve those problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When software providers are hosting a panel discussion, it\u2019s the perfect opportunity to ask the tough questions about gaps, integrations and improvements that can benefit how bookkeepers, accountants and our clients use the software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    With Sage 50 and Sage Business Cloud Accounting, round table discussions are a great opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions. Don\u2019t be afraid to bring up what is not working and what\u2019s missing. Your feedback is valuable!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Build Your Referral Network<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    You can never underestimate the amount of business opportunities that can come from meeting other partners in a setting where we can collaborate and do work with each other and for each other. When you meet people, you get to put a face to the name. You\u2019re also cementing your own credibility as an engaged member of your professional community, something that\u2019s a lot harder to do by staying glued to your office. People feel more comfortable referring business to those that they have met and had a casual conversation with face to face. Only by doing this can you confirm that the other party is on the same page as you when it comes to values and key work practices. Put simply, I like to know who I\u2019m doing business with and sending business to, because my name is attached to that referral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Address your clients\u2019 pain points<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Remember you\u2019re not just trying to better your own business at these events, you\u2019re also there representing the interests of your clients. Your clients hire you to do their accounting or bookkeeping because it might not be their strong suit. With that in mind, if I can give them the tools to do their job it makes their life easier. For example, I have 90 percent of my clients using Sage Business Cloud Accounting and Apps such as Receipt Bank and Waypay, to streamline their systems and free up their time to focus on serving their customers. If I\u2019m not attending conferences, I can\u2019t give them the latest and greatest knowledge. Make sure to bring, not only your own pain points to conferences, but those that are obstacles to your clients\u2019 success. I am always trying out new Apps and looking for ways to solve the pain points of mine and my clients business<\/i>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As an experienced attendee of these conferences, I\u2019m often asked by my friends and colleagues: \u201cHow should I make the most out of a conference day?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here is my before, during and after conference plan to maximize your productivity and conference experience:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Before the conference<\/h2>\n\n\n\n