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

There are a wide range of conferences for internet professionals, with topics ranging from system design and security to mobile technology and emerging technology. To get the most value from an internet industry event, evaluate the following:

1. Is the internet industry conference designed for internet industry professionals in your specialized field?

2. What special exhibits, workshops or keynote speakers do the events for internet professionals offer to expand your knowledge base or increase your business profitability?

3. How much should your business pay for online industry events?

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

Select internet conferences geared towards professionals in your field

Choose an internet conference that focuses on your specific internet industry discipline. If your focus is on internet marketing, select a specialized internet marketing conference rather than a general internet industry event. Find out if the internet industry conference is designed for business owners, management, technical workers, researchers, marketers or consultants, and select events most appropriate to your occupation.

I recommend: PacINET is a conference for practitioners, developers and researchers to share information on system design, technology and experiences related to internet use in the Pacific Islands. The Annual Network & Distributed System Security Symposium brings together leading security researchers, security technology experts and public and private sector professionals who work with new and emerging internet technologies. The Global Wireless Broadband Summit offers key decision makers, regulators and service providers from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America the opportunity to discuss opportunities and challenges associated with wireless broadband.

Attend internet events with informative workshops and reputable speakers

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

I recommend: The Digital Hollywood conference features technology executives from leading media and entertainment corporations, including Sony Pictures Entertainment, Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. In addition to workshops and keynote speakers, the North American Network Operators' Group meeting offers detailed tutorials, including "BGP Techniques for Service Providers" and "IP Multicast and Multipoint Design for IPTV Services." The Internet Telephony Conference & Expo includes keynote speakers from innovative internet technology companies, such as Microsoft, Sonus Networks, BroadSoft, AudioCodes and Skype.

Choose internet industry events in your price range

Register for conferences for internet industry professionals 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 web events, rather than larger national or international online industry events.

I recommend: The Internet Engineering Task Force meeting offers discounted fees for early registrations and a special rate for students. The annual Internet Research conference features several registration options, as well as day passes and student discounts. WORLDCOMP offers online registration with reduced student rates.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

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