Emerging markets events provide effective networking, public relations and educational opportunities for your business. Conferences on emerging markets not only help you stay abreast of the latest emerging markets advancements, but allow you to exchange ideas with colleagues. Plus, emerging markets conventions give your company significant name recognition among current and future business prospects or clients.

There are a wide range of conferences on emerging countries, with topics ranging from economic forecasting and agricultural commodities to debt markets and governance. To get the most value from emerging market conventions, evaluate the following:

1. Are the emerging market conferences designed for emerging markets industry professionals in your specialized field?

2. What special exhibits, workshops or keynote speakers do the conventions on emerging markets offer to expand your knowledge base or increase your business profitability?

3. How much should your business pay events on emerging countries?

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

Select emerging markets events geared towards professionals in your field

Choose emerging markets conferences that focus on your specific emerging markets industry discipline. If your focus is on emerging markets in Africa, select a specialized emerging markets conference focused on African markets, rather than a general global emerging markets conference. Find out if the emerging countries conferences are designed for business executives, investors, asset managers, analysts or consultants, and select events most appropriate to your occupation.

I recommend: The International Investing and Emerging Markets seminar presented by International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans provides opportunities for human resource and benefits professionals, corporate officers and executives, finance personnel and investment professionals to learn more about international investments and emerging markets. Hedge Funds World Asia presented by Terrapinn is designed for regional investors, global investment managers and strategists to exchange ideas and seek Asian investment opportunities. The Venture Capital in Emerging Markets Conference brings together fund investors, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs from all over the world to discuss investment strategies and venture capital in emerging markets.

Attend emerging markets conventions with informative workshops and reputable speakers

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

I recommend: The Emerging Markets Summit features global business leaders from The Economist Group, AstraZeneca, Dell, Dow, Goldman Sachs and Honeywell. The Emerging Markets Conference presented by the Securities & Investment Institute addresses key topics like avoiding the credit crunch, spotting opportunities in Africa, Russia, China and the Middle East, assessing countries vs. companies investments and determining emerging markets value. The Annual Darden International Finance Conference offers emerging markets investment sessions focused on returns, debt markets, capital flow and governance, and features a keynote speaker from Harvard.

Choose emerging markets conferences in your price range

Register for emerging market conferences that fit within your company's budget. In addition to the conference registration fees, factor in costs for travel, lodging and meals. To save money, consider smaller local or regional seminars on emerging markets, rather than a larger global emerging markets conference.

I recommend: The Social Capital Markets conference features organization or individual registration options and special rates for MBA students. The Annual Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) World Conference offers reduced registration fees for OWIT members, as well as discounts for students. The PEI Annual Emerging Markets Private Equity Forum provides three ways to register -- online, by phone or by fax.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To save on travel fees, consider participating in online international emerging markets conferences. While you may not benefit from the networking opportunities that come with attending annual emerging markets conferences, you will still receive the same valuable educational information from the comfort of your home or office.