Recently, and rather accidentally, I attended two conferences in five weeks. Crazy, right? We are all stretched thin, with high targets to meet and shoestring budgets. How could I be away–twice?

Can you relate to what happens to me with professional development sessions? I spot a session, conference or “Lunch n’ Learn,” and enthusiastically sign up! Then, as the event draws nearer, I start to talk myself out of going. I’m— “too busy…targets are too high…there are important meetings I can’t miss…”

With these two conferences, I was both attending sessions, and presenting. There was no turning back, and I am so glad for it. I learned that being both a presenter and a participant added a new dimension to conference participation.

Being a presenter forced me to articulate my message concisely. Building my presentation was a good reminder of some best practices (including a few that I had let slide!). Planning what I should share with others helped me rethink some of my work. And, organizing my thoughts into a one-hour session was both humbling and rewarding.

As an attendee, I dispensed with the idea that conference attendance was about gathering a list of implementable tactics to show immediate results. Instead, I chose sessions that were outside of my daily work. For example, I joined a fascinating presentation on South Asian legacy giving, and another on rebuilding a charitable brand. Investing my time in topics that would stretch, challenge, and help me think more broadly was a game changer.

Another benefit of conference attendance is the remarkable (and somewhat intangible) value of connecting and learning with people you don’t know. For one hour, a group of people are thrown together to concentrate on a piece of the work of Canada’s 180,000 charities. It’s an inspiring feeling of shared purpose.

And, I exercised my networking muscle. It was a joy to share a meal with seven complete strangers, hear their stories and share a few of mine. I think these chance encounters are a way to build unity within our sector.

It was time very well spent.

Advice for getting the most out of a conference

• Go. Talk yourself into attending a conference in the next 365 days.
• Prepare. Consider your work plan over (and after) the conference period, and cover your deliverables. Ask a colleague to be your backup while you are gone, and brief them on what’s happening in your business area. Put your out-of-office on your email.
• Be present. Put your phone away and say hello to the passionate charitable sector colleague beside you. If you must do your regular work during the conference, do it outside the session space.
• Stretch. Attend sessions that are outside your job scope. You’ll be revitalized and challenged.
• Volunteer. Offer to introduce a speaker, work at the registration table, or help with event setup. Dig in, and meet some people!
• Speak. Contemplate being a conference presenter. Why not you? Everyone has an area of expertise and insights to share. Package up a few ideas and share them with a group of peers for an hour. Perhaps start with a small group, like your local CAGP or AFP chapter, or offer to speak to a local charity board (not the one you work for) about philanthropy.
• Say hello! Networking takes energy. Instead of checking your emails at coffee break, engage with the vendor marketplace or say hello to the person beside you. Take courage! This is your chance to meet a future colleague, boss or friend.
• Reflect. After the conference, list your learnings, including ideas you’d like to explore at work. Schedule this to arrive in your inbox four weeks later. Read and remember, and consider how and when to implement some ideas.

It takes some planning, and the help of supportive colleagues, to attend a conference. You can free yourself of the day-to-day over the next year, to reap the great benefits conferences offer.

In many ways, it’s more restful than a vacation.

Sandra Baker, CFRE is the Director of Advancement at Hamilton District Christian High, and a charitable sector consultant. Her next speaking engagement is at the Edvance Annual Gathering, where she will guide participants to strengthen their school philanthropy programs.