I've been very lucky in life to go to many conferences throughout my career. I've gone as both an attendee and a speaker, and I have found them to be valuable in helping me continue to grow and thrive in my career. This is across many employers, some of which I don't think had particularly great benefits. Plenty of people I worked with did not get to attend any conferences, and some of them felt resentful. I understand that, but I think that many employers are willing to invest in training and conferences when there is a return for them.

I started going to ComNet in DC, as a young professional wanting to learn. It was close enough to drive up and go for the free day and then return home. A few colleagues and I would make the trip once a year and talk with vendors, chat with attendees, and learn more about computer networking. Across a couple of years, we had moved from thinnet and thicknet to ethernet and IPX to IP, and this was a place where those technologies, and many more, were being discussed.

During (and after) the event, I worked hard and improved my knowledge. I got things done at work. I got extra things done at work. I got my normal work done better. I solved more problems than in the past. Part of this was growing and learning, part was improving my troubleshooting, research, and testing skills.

Some of it was meeting a few people at a conference I could email later and ask a question.

As I changed jobs, I moved more into development and data work. I got the chance to go to TechEd and the PDC. I became involved in PASS and started attending the annual summit. I learned a lot in different sessions, and I made a lot of networking contacts with others. Many became friends, and many of them have helped me answer questions since then. I learned to not just attend a conference, but bring something back. Usually knowledge and always some swag to give out to co-workers. A gift for the boss that approved the trip was also a good idea.

I continue to do this today. I often attend a SQL Saturday and sit in a few sessions. I still learn something that I can write about or help a client with. I might take a moment to ask a speaker a question that likewise gives me knowledge that I can use in my day job. There's a payback for my employer when they've spent money for me to attend. There's also a payback for my career as I'm always learning something new.

This fall is the annual PASS Data Community Summit. It's in-person, which I know limits who can go, but if you're looking to be a high performer. If you get things done at work and your company values you, perhaps you can make a case that you are the person that will take advantage of a conference. Convincing others that you're worth investing in, and proving you are, is a good skill to have. Take your best shot at it, and maybe you'll get the chance to register and come. If not, the worst case is someone says no but learns that you want to drive your career forward.

PS - Don't delay. Prices rise on Sep 21.