Conferences in telecom are of importance from a career networking as well as educational perspective. They are an ideal place to meet industry peers, potential mentors, as well as get to know your competition.

The pricing and costs of telecom industry events depends on the locale, the duration of the telecom event and the prestige of the speakers. The amount of money your business should budget for telecom conferences should also take into account transportation and lodging costs to attend. When looking for telco events to attend, consider the following:

1. Look for telecommunication conferences sponsored by your industry's association.

2. Consider registering for educational webinars.

3. Save money by finding telecom conferences to attend close to home.

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

Look for telecom industry events sponsored by your industry's association

Many telecom industry associations sponsor conferences in telecommunications that pertain to your business' particular area of business. The cost of attending an industry sponsored event will depend on how big an event it is and how big the keynote speaker is. Many events have big marquis names listed that will prove a big draw, both in terms of crowds and potentially your wallet. Airfare and hotel are not included in the registration fee.

I recommend: CTIA, the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association, has an online event calendar detailing industry trade shows, conferences, etc. Minimal entrance is $250 per person, but depending on how many days you want to attend and which speakers or networking events you wish to attend, the price can go up as high as $1,000. Hosted by the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society, the IEEE Radio and Wireless Symposium is $750 for industry members to attend week-long events. If you just want to hear one speaker, the price varies from $100 to $300.

Register for webinar telecom events

Webinars, or online seminars, are a great way to save time and money. They tend to cost anywhere from $200 to $400 and generally last no more than a few hours. All you need is the time to spare and a laptop with an Internet connection. Simply register and log on a few minutes prior to the time specified on your registration confirmation. Make sure your PC has the right media tools downloaded to ensure proper viewing.

I recommend: CCMI offers webinars as well as seminars with topics of interest to those in the telecom industry and cost less than $300 depending on if you are a member and when you register. The United States Telecom Association, aka US Telecom, is an association for broadband providers. Their webinars are free to members.

Save money by attending telecom events conferences close to home

Save on airfare and hotel by locating telco conferences close to home. Another option is to review conference materials from the comfort of your own home or office by purchasing the materials, including slides and audio, of conferences that took place elsewhere.

I recommend: If you work in the Atlanta area, TechLINKS Media Holdings is advertising its recent fifth annual Atlanta Telecom Professionals (ATP) Awards Gala complete with a networking cocktail party. Non-award nominees were invited to attend. United Business Media Limited, under the name Light Reading, hosts industry telecom events around the world. You can purchase past conference materials in full for $500 per event.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be the early bird. Many events in telecom will offer a registration discount if you sign up by a certain date.
• •  Consider staying at a non-venue hotel. You may be able to negotiate a less expensive nightly rate.

There is little need to preach the value of networking to telecom professionals. In an industry devoted to improving methods of interpersonal communication, few job-related activities are more important than interacting with professional peers. Networking increases your company's profile and exposes you to the most current industry information.

Regardless of where you are employed in the industry spectrum, you will find that telecommunications industry events are a valuable way to make contacts and stay informed about the frequent changes that affect your job.

The benefits of attending telecom events are numerous:

1. Telecom industry events keep you up to date on technologies and regulations.

2. Telecom events may provide continuing professional education.

3. Telecom conferences give you the chance to network with professional peers.

4. Telecommunications industry events give you a great opportunity to share practical knowledge and experience.

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

Seek out events sponsored by professional organizations

National organizations sponsor telecom conferences and trade shows. These events are great opportunities for networking with peers from all areas of the telecom industry. Increase your company's visibility by arranging to appear as a speaker or advertising in conference programs.

I recommend: Consult America’s Network or The Public Forum Institute for lists of industry organizations and links to their web sites.

Consult providers of continuing professional education (CPE) in telecommunications

Continued training is essential for telecom professionals to keep up with advances in technology. CPE providers are an excellent source of telecommunication conferences and seminars.

I recommend: Explore AOTMP's telecom education and training programs. You may also find telecom conferences on the Teracom Training Institute web site.

Attend a telecom event webinar

For those who would like to gain the knowledge provided by conferences in telecom without the cost and time required for travel, webinars are an ideal solution. These conferences and workshops presented through the internet may not have the same networking value as other telecom events, but webinars do allow two-way communication and interaction between speaker and audience. The cost of webinars varies widely, as do their quality. Some vendors offer to customize web events to suit specific business needs.

I recommend: The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) offers the TechThink Webinar series. TelecomWeb provides a list of webcasts on a variety of topics.

Read industry publications for updates on telecommunications industry events

Telecom publications frequently advertise important upcoming events in telecom.

I recommend: Regularly check the Telecommunications Events calendars offered by Telecommunications Magazine Online and Total Telecom.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Join professional telecom organizations to receive promotional information about important events in telecom, and to obtain discounted registration fees.
• •  Begin with local events to save travel costs and learn which types of events will be most helpful.
• •  Find out if your company will pay for you to attend professional events on company time.

There's a tendency among busy professionals and other types of small business owners to keep the head down and nose to the grindstone. But you shouldn't allow the daily grind to keep you from attending or participating in industry events and conferences.

These events provide a great opportunity to make important connections and stay on top of industry changes. As a participant in such events, you can promote yourself as an expert in your field.

The benefits of industry events and conferences include:

1. Networking and PR opportunities — from speaking at an industry event to advertising your company in a conference directory.
2. Staying at the forefront of your changing industry.
3. Continuing education.
4. Exchanging ideas and experiences with peers.

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

Tune up at technology events and conferences

Whether you're in the technology field or you simply want to learn how to harness the power of technology in your business, you can find an event to fit your needs.

I recommend: ConferenceGuru.com's calendar of tech conferences includes a search feature so you can find events in your area.

Run to retail events and conferences

The nation's retailers — both large and small — gather often for events and conferences on topics such as loss prevention, online merchandising, advertising and hiring.

I recommend: The National Retail Federation provides a calendar of upcoming events and conferences, along with a link for information about speaking opportunities.

Measure yourself at manufacturing events and conferences

Manufacturers face unique challenges that are addressed in international and local events.

I recommend: Manufacturing & Technology News provides a listing of conferences on a variety of manufacturing subjects, such as supply chain management, lean accounting, packaging and product safety and liability.

Find what you're missing at foodservice events and conferences

Restaurateurs, caterers, coffeehouse owners and others in the foodservice industry can find industry events on hundreds of important topics.

I recommend: Find industry events calendars including conferences, expos, seminars and trade shows at Restaurants & Institutions magazine or QSR Online.

Go for general business events and conferences

If you're looking to brush up on basic business skills, for example sales and marketing or customer service, check into conferences on those areas.

I recommend: Find business conferences in a variety of subjects at AllConferences.com. The Open Directory Project at dmoz.org has a listing of conferences under their business resources header.

Regional events and conferences

Contact your local chamber of commerce as well as the convention and visitors' centers for nearby cities to see what events and conferences are headed your way.

I recommend: Find local and regional chambers of commerce via ChamberOfCommerce.com, an online database for municipalities nationwide. A simple Google search for "convention" and "visitors" plus your municipality will net contact info for your local tourism board. Tap these organizations to find key regional events and meetings.

Subscribe to trade and specialty pubs

It's a fundamental tenet straight out of Business 101: keep abreast of industry happenings by reading trade journals and other publications geared toward your specialty. Many trade journals include events calendars or lists of upcoming conferences.

I recommend: Find a trade magazine for your industry at TradePub.com or FreeTradeMagazineSource.com.

Tap into trade shows

Many conferences and events occur in tandem with trade shows. Depending on the show, you may be able to purchase separate admission to conferences and seminars if you aren't planning on attending the trade show.

I recommend: The Trade Show News Network is a self-described "ultimate trade show resource," with a database searchable by industry, timeframe, and location.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you're new to the conference or industry events scene, attend one locally to save costs, get a feel for what to expect, and determine if future participation is worthwhile.
• •  Discover which industry happenings are considered must-attend events by searching for blogs and pod casts specific to your industry.
• •  If you travel frequently for business, tap the concierge at your hotel and others nearby and ask about notable annual events and shows.
• •  Industry events and conferences are held on national, regional, and local levels, and different vendors and presenters will appear at each of these, so be sure to investigate a variety to find the best fit.
• •  Check local colleges, universities or continuing education programs to troll for speakers or events in your field.
• •  Check with your accountant or supervisor to know exactly what to write off or voucher as an expense.