Learning Outside of Job Descriptions

[Serenity J. Knutson]

This morning, I was reading about the educational programs offered at a conference for travel agents. While the entire event is geared specifically toward travel agents, I found myself thinking that some of the session topics could easily transfer into meeting professionals' (among other groups) need-to-know.

And so, I became curious: do you ever attend conferences or educational programs that are not specific to meetings and events but will expand your professional development in other areas?

Serenity J. Knutson, Editor in Chief
PlannerWire.com
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[Rachel Khanna]

Hi Serenity, I think this is a great question. I am in the "Events industry" in marketing but that doesn't mean that my training is limited to only event-related topics. I personally attend numerous marketing conferences and seminars, not industry specific but that focus on best practices and new tactics to maximize ROI.

I think anyone limiting themselves to only one area of training is not doing themselves justice. The event planner of today cannot just focus on learning about the newest event stuff but will also have to focus on other areas, areas that could potentially be a differentiating factor. Event planners who specialize in high end weddings for example will need further specialized knowledge of weddings, technology available to help them as well as so many other areas of expertise.

[Serenity J. Knutson]

Hi, Rachel, thanks so much for your comments! I always enjoy hearing planners discuss the many different "hats" of the job, and how they are expected, from one moment to the next, to play lawyer, accountant, researcher, software specialist, technician, marketer, decorator, babysitter, etc. As a marketer for an online events technology company (just look at the number of different specialties named right there!), you most certainly also boast a job that requires talents and knowledge from a wide, deep pool of subject areas!

I like to think that everything we pick up through our day-to-day experiences and interactions can come back to be applied to some aspect of our professional lives, and that is why I think it is important to seek out new experiences whenever possible - because every experience, in my opinion, is a potential learning experience. One never knows when some little thing seen or heard might turn out to be the exact tidbit of knowledge or inspiration needed in some future moment of professional significance. :)