By Paul Bennett, Conference Committee Member
Only a few more weeks remain until our 2021 NRWA Annual Conference (to be held virtually this year), and I’m excited about the great program that my hardworking colleagues on the conference planning committee are putting together for you!
Each year, our conferences feature so many outstanding presenters that it's tough to choose between concurrent sessions (fortunately, like last year, we'll be recording all of them). The events are terrific opportunities for professional growth and networking. They’re filled with fantastic ideas for running our businesses and excelling at our craft. And they're great for making friends and having fun (as many of us know, ours can be a lonely profession at times).
Last year’s virtual conference went off with very few hitches (thanks to our nimble, technically skilled Stringfellow Management Group), and this year’s conference will undoubtedly flow even more smoothly.
But don’t just take my word for it; the numbers speak for themselves:
- More than 98.5% of attendees said that the value of the conference met or exceeded their expectations (with greater than 61% saying "far exceeded").
- More than 91% reported being "very likely" or "likely" to attend another NRWA virtual conference, and greater than 95% were "very satisfied" (75%) or "satisfied" (20%) with the experience.
- 93% agreed with “Easy breezy. Once I logged in, it was easy to navigate and find the areas I wanted to visit” when asked how comfortable they were with the online platform (which we’ll be using again this year).
While reviewing the feedback, I was impressed by both the number of positive comments and how much satisfaction and enjoyment those comments expressed. One participant said they were "so glad (they were) able to attend this year and feel that the experience and knowledge gained through the presentations and chats, as well as the motivation from being around others in (their) field, was invaluable." Another attendee noted "how well it flowed and the opportunities to pose questions and interact with others," and another said, “Awesome conference - so welcoming, and I loved the networking! Looking forward to next year!”
Besides accolades, we also received some very helpful, constructive criticism that we’re using to make improvements for this year.
The conference agenda is available now on the NRWA website, and you can register at this link.
September 20 will soon be upon us, and I look forward to seeing you there.
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Paul Bennett has volunteered for the NRWA since 2018 and currently serves as a Director of Member Support for New Business Owners. When not helping jobseekers excel in their career marketing activities, Paul enjoys creative writing, cycling, hiking, camping, anything outdoorsy, and chilling with Bingo (his Bichon Frise X miniature poodle). He’s Principal of NOVA Career Strategies in Vancouver, BC. Find him online at LinkedIn.com/in/paulraworthbennett.
