118- For Entrepreneurs — probable decisions on attending live conferences in 2021

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In this episode of The Struggling Biz, we discuss the theme of deciding to attend live conferences during the 2nd half of 2021 — and its possible results (both good and bad).

In particular, we have a case study for myself and my small business called Matrix Solutions Corporation — both for NOT attending a live conference in 2021, but planning to do so in 2022. For the annual conference called Podcast Movement (initiated in 2014, in which case I myself did attend in person in Dallas, Texas), we shall examine this case. In any event, the possibility of attending a conference via VIRTUAL TICKET for this year may be a different and cost-effective alternative.

Why? We shall see by dealing with the possible GOOD, BAD AND UGLY possible results.

The good:

The ability to attend live conferences will unleash a myriad of attendees who want to get back to normal for enjoying the benefits of a business conference — including live socializing with their peers and mentors and instructors, as well as getting an education that would NOT be via Zoom or other virtual means. This means that the conferences might be at capacity, where most of the attendees will be energized, passionate and excited to be near their peers and demonstrators and vendors and instructors at sessions and panels and exhibit halls.

Thus, the attendee has a lot to get out of attending this conference live — the socialization, the interviews, the education and training, the knowledge of new products, the view of new solutions in the exhibit hall and the revitalization for their business with new ideas to plan and try out when they return home.

The BAD:

the COST of attending a live event is always a concern — and because prices for travel are on a huge rise, this could be a big problem and downfall for many who would like to attend (especially since the 2020 events were canceled, most of the time);
for the micro-phobes and those who drank the kool-aid of the phony virus crisis, the FEAR due to the threat of being around people once again would scare away even the bravest souls, since they would fear mingling with others in person;
the loss of time away from their business to be at a live event could be costly, if not recovered wisely; and
the overcrowding of people in the event would prohibit a possible attendee of going to each session or demo or panel discussion in entirety — mainly because many of the selected and targeted sessions would be filled to capacity. And so there may be frustration that the trip may not have achieved its objectives, due to the overcrowding.

THE UGLY

If the event is overcrowded, perhaps there would be buyer’s remorse because the attendee may result in considering that it would have been better to stay at home and “attend” the event with a virtual ticket and participate online.
Also, if there are no refunds to be given for canceling a live attendance, then a good deal of funds would be spent on travel, lodging, admission to the event and lost time for sales and revenue-generating activities in the business during the days of travel and attendance (if the buyer’s remorse does occur).
The only plans that an entrepreneur can have is to avoid the 2021 conference and plan to attend live at the upcoming 2022 conference (because the “sham-demic” crisis should be over and done with, according to the lame-stream media).

Also, one has to do the proper planning with a cost-benefit analysis matrix of expected gains vs. probable negative aspects for attending the conference.

For this entrepreneur, I do plan to avoid the live conference in 2021. I am still considering “attending” the Podcast Movement conference with a virtual ticket, although I am not pleased with the speakers and the session leaders being chosen and promoted. I cannot, in all honesty, see great value in hearing them in person, even in a virtual ticket. I am still debating at this time.

But I do know that the planned 2022 event would require less travel and lodging expense (because it would be local). And the threat of being shamed and given the “stink-eye” by those who are still extremists about wearing a diaper on your face and not mingling due to the sham-demic falsehoods would be almost gone by that time.

As for the speakers, panelists and demonstrators, I do know that some of the planned people delivering value for me at the conference would be expected — and the value is to see these people in person and socialize, converse and experience their communication live.

So, at this time, you can expect the live conferences this year to be a place where the floodgates of socialization will be open — but you have to see if the VALUE and objectives to attend will be met in your own cost-benefit analysis that you would do.

We hope that you do get the value from attending, if that is your choice, and that your objectives will be met to help your business succeed.

Thank you for your attention.