Technology events provide effective networking, public relations and educational opportunities for your business. Technology symposiums and seminars not only help you stay abreast of the latest technology industry advancements, but allow you to exchange ideas with colleagues. Plus, technology seminars give your company significant name recognition among current and future business prospects, partners or clients.

There are a wide range of tech events for computer industry workers, with topics ranging from performance metrics and communications to management information systems and security. To get the most value from a technology conference, evaluate the following:

1. Is the technology symposium designed for technology industry professionals in your specialized field?

2. What special exhibits, workshops or keynote speakers does each tech conference offer to expand your knowledge base or increase your business profitability?

3. How much should your business pay for a technology event?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Select technology events geared towards professionals in your field

Choose a technology event that focuses on your specific technology industry discipline. If your focus is on information technology development, select specialized IT conferences rather than general technology conferences. Find out if the technology seminar or convention is designed for management, technical workers or consultants, and select events most appropriate to your occupation.

I recommend: The CFO Technology Summit gives chief financial offers the opportunity to learn how technology can reduce complex decision making challenges and increase business growth. The Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences provides a forum for researchers and practitioners in the information, computer and system sciences to discuss research ideas, techniques and applications. Interop is a business technology conference designed for business managers, IT professionals and channel professionals.

Attend technology seminars with informative workshops and reputable speakers

Select technology events that offer a selection of classes, exhibits and workshops relevant to your career. For the most beneficial learning experience, look for tech seminars and classes focused on specific topics rather than broad generalizations. Choose technology symposiums with successful, reputable and credible speakers who are known for their technology industry expertise.

I recommend: The HDI Service Management Conference & Expo offers five compelling in-depth tracks, including leadership, IT service management processes, service portfolio, performance measurements and workforce management. ETech, the O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference, provides plenary sessions, keynote addresses, focused breakout sessions, in-depth tutorials and an Exhibit Hall featuring people and products that shape the future of technology. The Intel Developer Forum features an impressive line up of Intel Corporation senior executives.

Choose technology and IT conferences in your price range

Register for technology, IT or MIS conferences that fit within your company's budget. In addition to the conference fees, factor in costs for travel, lodging and meals. To save money, consider smaller local or regional technology conferences, rather than larger national or international tech events.

I recommend: The annual Nonprofit Technology Conference offers discounts for Nonprofit Technology Network members. The Emerging Technologies Conference features five registration options: full conference plus workshop pass, full conference pass, one-day conference pass, Women in Technology workshop only or TR35 awards and reception only. Supernova offers one all-inclusive conference registration package.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To save on travel fees, consider an online technology conference. While you may not benefit from the networking opportunities that come with attending a technology or IT conference, you will still receive the same valuable educational information from the comfort of your home or office.