Welcome to 2020. It’s perhaps time to take a moment and think about where you want to go and what you want to change in your business and your life in this new year.

With that in mind, I want to talk about the importance of recharging your batteries and your team’s batteries. You do this by taking yourselves out of the daily grind and attending HVAC Industry conferences and trade shows.

These events have social and educational benefits that the Internet simply cannot provide. Many people today falsely believe that since they can now access industry information via the Internet that the days of the live meeting are gone.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Attending live events is more important than ever. The value in meetings comes from the human-to-human connections that occur. In other words, it is the people that bring the ROI to your time at a conference.

People often say ‘hallway conversations’ with other attendees provide the most value of attending an event. I agree. When two or more people discuss topics on a deeper and personal level, the learning achieved is equally deep and personal. The value of attending the event to those involved in such conversations becomes irreplaceable.

HVAC Industry Events

Events such as NCI's Summit are requisite for recharging your batteries
Events such as NCI’s Summit are requisite for recharging your batteries

Our industry just so happens to be rich when it comes to available live events. Here are just a few:

There are many more events held by trade associations, manufacturers, distributors, and others across the industry throughout the year.

Five Reasons to Attend External Conferences and Tradeshows

Sharpening the Saw – Sometimes you have to take a break from the ‘work’ of your work to sharpen your skills. A dull ax won’t cut a tree nearly as effectively as a sharp one.

Networking – Sometimes it’s about taking a selfie with someone who’s influenced you. Maybe it’s sharing a business idea with someone you admire. Or you could make a connection that can lead to finding your next mentor. It’s about interacting with peers.

Education and Professional Development – This part is about expanding your knowledge, learning new management and technical tips and tricks, and obtaining greater focus.

Access to Vendors and Suppliers – Whether on an expo floor, or at a few tables around a room, vendors display products and tools that we haven’t seen yet. Or they demonstrate apps that make us faster, less prone to mistakes, or give us an edge. Undoubtedly, you can find these products on websites, but isn’t it better to get a hands-on demo or be able to ask specific questions?

Fun – Industry conferences can add a layer of enjoyment to managing your career growth. Many events plan fun activities. Never underestimate the power of a little fun mixed with education and interesting people!

Afterward, all the materials, notes, lessons learned, and contacts you obtain at an event become invaluable reference/contact resources when you get home. Your batteries are recharged and you are ready to take on the challenges of growing and profiting.

Now isn’t that worth the investment?