As care at home organizations are containing costs, they may miss the mark by cutting back on the things that truly keep teams going. Often, opportunities to attend conferences are the first to be cut. Organization leaders may only look at the cost and how it affects the budget, rather than the benefits of attendance. These experiences can actually be a revenue generator.

Deciding to Attend a Conference

Attendance at a conference provides an opportunity to meet others with common challenges and goals. Listening and sharing stories is an excellent way to learn new ideas and find areas to cut costs and streamline operations.

When comparing the value of one conference to another, it is a good idea to determine the return on investment for attending. Consider the value of the information from keynote speakers. Many speakers have YouTube recordings that can be previewed prior to making your decision to attend. While many speakers are not in the same business, they offer out-of-the-(industry)-box ways of thinking that may generate ideas for new revenue streams or products, or simply energize attendees.

Make the Most of a Conference Experience

In Keith Ferrazzi’s book Never Eat Alone, he writes about three specific considerations before and during a conference.

• Prepare to network: Research the attendees and speakers at the conference and think about who you might like to meet or who will be best to connect with to fulfill your organization’s mission and goals. Try to reach out to them ahead of time.
• Build your network: When you decide who you want to meet, plan a meeting or a chat over coffee at the conference. LinkedIn is a great place to connect with professionals in the same field of work, and email or other social media channels may also be helpful. Be thoughtful as to how connecting can benefit you both.
• Maintain your network: Keep your network alive and well. Once you’ve made the connection, offer your ideas and seek out ways their insights can help you. Partnerships should be a good investment for both parties. Look for ideas that are reciprocal; that just might be your return on investment.

In April 2023, Axxess will present a one-of-a-kind conference that will increase your understanding of current events in the industry, energize your team and demonstrate how to generate revenue in new ways. The Axxess Growth, Innovation and Leadership Experience, known as AGILE, will bring together the brightest thought leaders, policymakers, technology innovators and care teams to envision a shared future of healthcare at home. Sessions will help attendees implement leading-edge solutions and leadership approaches to solve challenges and build the future of care at home, together.