Attending seminars and conferences is an integral part of any professional’s career. They provide an invaluable opportunity to collaborate with others in your field and to meet face to face with experts. Seminars and conferences are also great places to make new contacts and to expand your professional network. Often, you will find yourself in a position to attend such events with others from your company. There are some strategies you can use to maximise the benefits your team receives from professional seminars and conferences.

When you attend seminars and conferences with others from your business, try to capitalise on the opportunity to expand your business’ network by working as individuals. Instead of sitting together during presentations and meals, mingle with new people and make new contacts. At the end of each day, share ideas with other members of your team and exchange contacts. When you stick together as a group during the course of the seminars, you are greatly decreasing the number of new ideas and people your group is exposed to and you will gain no more benefit from this group effort than you would if you attended alone. 

You and the other members of your group should also be sure to introduce potential business contacts to all members of the group when possible. When a contact meets several competent professionals from the same company, he or she will be left with a more positive image of your company’s reputation. After all, the main purpose of a company team attending seminars and conferences is to improve the business and to expand its presence in the market. By taking the necessary steps to expand your knowledge and networking as individuals, your team can greatly increase the benefits of seminars and conferences to your business.