How can you find the best Peer Support conferences?

1 Define your goals

Before you start searching for peer support conferences, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to get out of them. Do you want to improve your skills, network with peers, learn about new trends, or explore specific topics? What kind of format, duration, and location do you prefer? How much can you afford to spend on registration, travel, and accommodation? By defining your goals, you can narrow down your options and focus on the conferences that match your expectations.

2 Do your research

Once you have your goals in mind, you can start looking for peer support conferences that meet your criteria. There are many sources of information that can help you find relevant events, such as peer support organizations, websites, newsletters, social media, blogs, podcasts, or online forums. You can also ask your colleagues, mentors, or friends for recommendations or referrals. Make sure to check the conference agenda, speakers, sponsors, and reviews to get a sense of the quality and relevance of the content and the opportunities for networking and learning.

3 Plan ahead

After you have identified some potential peer support conferences that interest you, you need to plan ahead and secure your spot. Some conferences may have limited capacity, early bird discounts, or special requirements, so you don't want to miss out on any opportunities or benefits. You also need to arrange your travel and accommodation, as well as prepare your budget and schedule. Additionally, you may want to prepare some questions, topics, or materials that you want to discuss or share with other attendees or speakers.

4 Engage actively

The most important part of attending a peer support conference is to engage actively with the content and the people. You can do this by participating in the sessions, workshops, panels, or activities that interest you, asking questions, giving feedback, or sharing your own experiences and insights. You can also network with other peer supporters, exchange contacts, join online groups, or follow up with potential collaborators or mentors. By engaging actively, you can make the most of your learning and relationship-building opportunities.

5 Reflect and apply

Finally, after you have attended a peer support conference, you need to reflect and apply what you have learned and gained. You can do this by reviewing your notes, materials, or recordings, identifying the key takeaways, insights, or action steps, and evaluating how they relate to your goals and needs. You can also share your learning outcomes with your colleagues, peers, or supervisors, and seek feedback or support. By reflecting and applying, you can consolidate your knowledge and skills, and improve your practice and performance.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?