Live - virtual - conferences are where it’s at!
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE a great in-person conference, the energy, the networking, but let’s be real: the travel, costs, late nights, and early mornings can be both exciting and exhausting.
This past month, I had the chance to join Marketingland by The Marketing Millennials (who I already adore) and the Guru conference hosted by GURU Media Hub (which I now adore) WOW!
First off, these were 100% free, with top-tier experts generously sharing their knowledge to help us up our marketing game. We covered everything from email strategies to AI, KPIs, and the challenges IOS 18 is about to throw our way—seriously, ALL the acronyms! And let’s not forget the networking. In just three days, I connected with more amazing people than I ever have at in-person events. With over 20,000 attendees (yes, twenty thousand+ !), there was no shortage of peers to chat with. 👋 Hi y'all.
And a HUGE shoutout to the DJ at both events! They kept the energy high and the vibe on point, making sure everyone stayed engaged and pumped throughout the sessions.
The flexibility? Amazing. I could jump in and out of sessions as needed, turning what was a normal workday into a learning marathon. Instead of music in my ears, I had real, valuable brain dumps from people I could listen to all day. The nuggets of insight and trend confirmations were everything I needed to navigate what’s coming next.
These events push you to step outside your comfort zone… so I did!
I met Kate Fernandes , who invited me to be a guest on her podcast. It was terrifying, but I said YES. I did it! Was I perfect? Nope. I tend to overshare, but hey, you’re not great the first time at anything, right? I learned a lot, and I’ll definitely be doing it again. Kate’s supportive demeanor made it all easier. She’s a gem in the marketing world, and if you haven’t connected with her yet, you should! Reach out to her and share your story on Marketing with Chai. You’ll have an amazing time and support someone who’s truly making a difference in our industry.
Key takeaway: We aren’t alone in this journey. We may be in different industries, we might even be competitors, but during these events, we’re one big family trying to better our industry, together.
And lastly, this is your sign! Get involved, sign up, and attend a virtual conference. You’ll learn, connect, and grow in ways you didn’t expect!