What Is A Business Conference: And Should You Host One?

Typically, a business conference is a gathering of many people to meet and discuss a particular subject. While this may seem like a pretty straightforward concept, a business conference can be many different things depending on the context. 

There are various types of conferences and reasons for hosting. Maybe your company wants to bring all your employees together in one place. Perhaps you are a leader in your field and aim to bring together like-minded folks from your industry. It’s also possible that you’re trying to build awareness for your business or attract new talent to bring on board. 

Whichever the case may be, the first thing you want to ask yourself before deciding to host a conference is: what is your ultimate goal? Below, we explore some popular reasons a company or individual may wish to host their very own business conference. 

Improving Communication

With so many companies operating at least partially, if not wholly, remotely these days, a business conference is a great way to bring your team together in person. Even if your company isn’t remote, you likely have some employees that work in different cities, states, or even countries. There is something to be said for bringing all team members together into one communal, physical space. 

While not always possible on a day-to-day basis, the benefits of working together in person are plentiful. For one, when you’re physically working with someone in real life, it’s much easier to build a rapport. When communicating online, things can often be misconstrued, so building a strong basis of kinship and understanding in person will go a long way in informing your communication style once you’re no longer face-to-face. 

According to a recent study by the University of Michigan, when people spend more time physically interacting with others, their general cognitive function is boosted. The study concluded that listening, empathizing, thinking, and responding in person is the key to increasing mental performance. 

Thus, holding a conference is not just a great way to improve communications within your company, but it is also important for your employees’ mental well-being. 

Spreading Knowledge and Honing Skills

A corporate conference is also a great way to communicate important messaging and work on skill-building. When you’re trying to expand your organization’s knowledge, it can be a good idea to host a conference with engaging presentations and activities. It is natural for humans to pay more attention to something when they feel fascinated or connected by the topic, so it is important to put thought into the ways in which you disseminate information or teach new skills.

One great way to teach new skills or convey new information at a conference is by selecting guest speakers that are experts in their respective fields. When selecting speakers, you want to keep two things in mind: 1) Why is the speaker qualified to speak on the particular topic, and 2) How engaging are they when public speaking? When it comes to learning something new from an aural presentation, it is proven that engaging storytelling is essential. According to research by psychologist Jerome Bruner, facts are 20 times more likely to be remembered if they’re part of a story.

It’s also popular to plan hands-on activities at conferences to promote experiential learning. Hands-on learning is valuable because it allows your employees to try something new in a guided environment; this also allows them to make mistakes without the pressure of real-life stakes. A recent Harvard University study concluded that individuals learn more when participating in active-learning strategies, AKA hands-on learning activities. 

During a typical workday, it can be challenging for employees to focus on learning new things while juggling the demands of their daily responsibilities. That’s why holding a business conference to disrupt the grind every once in a while can be so beneficial. 

Building Relationships and Morale

A business conference can also be a great way to encourage your employees to build stronger relationships. Interacting with your peers and coworkers face-to-face helps build trust, understanding, and empathy. Thus, dedicating time for employees to bond and get to know each other better can aid in building strong and healthy working relationships.

Additionally, business conferences can be incredibly successful in building company morale. It is a known fact that positive morale increases positive attitudes about work and, in turn, increases productivity. According to Gallup’s 2017 State of the American Workplace, companies that engage employees and promote positive morale can observe up to 21% more profitability. By bringing your employees together and offering fun activities and positive learning experiences, everyone can mutually benefit. Talk about a good investment! 

If these company goals resonate with you and you’re ready to start planning a business conference, we have a multitude of state-of-the-art event venues and conference rooms perfect for any corporate event. Do not hesitate to contact us today.