Why I Like Professional Conferences

I will attend two professional conferences soon, and I am very much looking forward to them. This topic may seem unconnected to the focus of this blog – books and reading – but for me, conferences are seamlessly intertwined with my reading and writing life. Conferences provide an opportunity to meet with and hear from writers of articles and books I have read, and to share my own ideas that I am writing about. Almost everyone who reads – a solitary occupation – likes to discuss what she or he reads with others, whether it be with family, friends, book groups, people at independent bookstore readings, or colleagues at conferences. The act of sharing and discussing what one has read helps us to clarify our understanding and share our pleasure in new ideas and creative ways of expressing them. Below are some reasons that I enjoy conferences:
1. I learn from my colleagues at academic sessions, in hallway conversations, and over coffee and meals.
2. I am able to share my own ideas and research with others, both by giving papers and by talking informally with various people.
3. I am happy to be part of a community of scholars, and am reminded of how fortunate I am to be part of it.
4. I am happy to be with colleagues from all over the world whom I have gotten to know over years of attending conferences, and to meet new colleagues as well.
5. I like to roam the Book Exhibits hall, browse, see what new books are out, and buy a few to take home.
6. I enjoy visiting or re-visiting interesting cities, and experiencing the pleasure and invigoration of being in a different place.
7. I am away from my regular routine; as much as I really love my regular routine at home and work, a change of pace is always good. And I always come back energized (tired, yes, but energized!)
8. Once each day’s sessions are finished, I love the camaraderie of going out to dinner with colleagues/friends, and sharing our ideas and lives in a more informal way.
9. I always come back with new ideas for my teaching and research.
10. And one more way conferences connect to my reading life: I have several hours on the plane each way to read!