In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast Todd Adkins and I are joined by Andy Dukes, a teammate of ours, to talk about how leaders and teams can get the most out of attending a conference. As part of our work and ministry we attend a LOT each year, so we share some of the best practices and mindsets to have heading into a conference. We ask the following questions.

* How should someone choose which conferences to attend and how many conferences should one attend per year?

* Is it better to attend solo or to go as a team?

* How much of a conference should a person attend to get the most out of it? (Every session, cherry pick sessions, etc.)

* What kind of follow up should someone do post-conference to get the most out of it?

* What are the greatest benefits of attending a conference?

BEST QUOTES

“Attending too many conferences can leave you jaded toward the conference scene.”

“Go to get, not just to look around.”

“Get a sense of what you are walking into.”

“Some people go to conferences because they want a vacation.”

“Some people attend as a classroom.”

“If you are looking to network either ministerially or professionally going solo is a good idea.”

“Skipping sessions is a necessity to retain everything you’re taking in.”

“Watching a conference online is not really an invested listen.”

“It’s impossible to get the development you need just from a conference.”

“Processing engages knowledge, experience, and coaching.”

“Bring something to take notes.”

“The greatest benefit is the time away.”

“One of the biggest benefits is intake. Leaders are expected to push and produce.”

“When you’re attending a conference stop those volunteers and say thank you.”

“For a lot of leaders it’s a chance to worship in a way they can’t at their own home.”

“If your church staff spends the money and takes the time to go to a conference do not begrudge them that.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Moleskine Notebook

Pilot Uniball Vision Elite Pen (Barnabas’s favorite)