With the warming weather come the notices of all the major networking events in store for the summer. Yes, they can be pricey, particularly the major ones. However it would behoove you to attend at least one of the big industry events. Not only is it a great hobnobbing opportunity, they provide seminars and workshops with industry leaders that you couldn't find anywhere else if you paid in gold for it. It's a wonderful mecca of inspiration to immerse yourself in. So if you can sweet talk your employer into paying for the trip (work related seminar type of thing) it can double as the ultimate Creative's vacation. If you work for yourself it makes for a handy dandy write-off.
The first big one scheduled is HOW magazine's conference in Atlanta, GA in June. Do visit their website for a schedule of events. Do visit their forum, even if you aren't sure if you're attending to meet some of the creatives who will be attending or doing a workshop/seminar. Hobnob, people...hobnob.
For those of you who can't make it to the East Coast, there will be an unofficial get together in Seattle called HOW-About-CL in May. Basically formed by forum regulars who visit the respective HOW, About Graphic Design forum and Creative Latitude members. If you start frequenting those places, chances are you might also be able to gain passage and join the tidy host of industry professionals who will be getting together here as well. Unlike the HOW Conference, the HOW-About-CL is more of an informal social gathering. But hey, any opportunity for spending a good time with industry greats should never be passed by. Plus...well, I shouldn't spill, but designers always love a good time. It's in the genes.
AIGA also has their NEXT Conference lined up in October, which will be held in Denver, CO. They also have other more concentrated networking events lined up in the months ahead. Another interesting notable they're holding will be a conference that is in conjunction with Harvard Business School which targets principals from mid to large creative firms and Senior Designers who work in-house. A very worthwhile event for those who fall under this category.
There are many other local network Events during the summer that are worth the price of admission like the National Stationery Show in New York City this May. Any way you look at it, there is a conference out there to meet the needs of every professional level of designer. Its the ideal means to socialize and network with industry peers, to soak in some creative atmosphere, unwind or just cut loose with forum friends that you're finally able to meet for the first time. I've been told that the workshops, although very good, usually are forgotten when not applied. It helps to take notes, join the forums and ask questions beforehand. If you're allowed to record the session so much the better. It's also recommended to register early as many of the workshops fill up fast and space is limited.
If attending can improve or at least enlighten your personal game it's still a worthwhile step ahead and ultimately a win-win investment. If it's an event that is associated with the industry that can lead to possible business liasons, even better.
The first big one scheduled is HOW magazine's conference in Atlanta, GA in June. Do visit their website for a schedule of events. Do visit their forum, even if you aren't sure if you're attending to meet some of the creatives who will be attending or doing a workshop/seminar. Hobnob, people...hobnob.
For those of you who can't make it to the East Coast, there will be an unofficial get together in Seattle called HOW-About-CL in May. Basically formed by forum regulars who visit the respective HOW, About Graphic Design forum and Creative Latitude members. If you start frequenting those places, chances are you might also be able to gain passage and join the tidy host of industry professionals who will be getting together here as well. Unlike the HOW Conference, the HOW-About-CL is more of an informal social gathering. But hey, any opportunity for spending a good time with industry greats should never be passed by. Plus...well, I shouldn't spill, but designers always love a good time. It's in the genes.
AIGA also has their NEXT Conference lined up in October, which will be held in Denver, CO. They also have other more concentrated networking events lined up in the months ahead. Another interesting notable they're holding will be a conference that is in conjunction with Harvard Business School which targets principals from mid to large creative firms and Senior Designers who work in-house. A very worthwhile event for those who fall under this category.
There are many other local network Events during the summer that are worth the price of admission like the National Stationery Show in New York City this May. Any way you look at it, there is a conference out there to meet the needs of every professional level of designer. Its the ideal means to socialize and network with industry peers, to soak in some creative atmosphere, unwind or just cut loose with forum friends that you're finally able to meet for the first time. I've been told that the workshops, although very good, usually are forgotten when not applied. It helps to take notes, join the forums and ask questions beforehand. If you're allowed to record the session so much the better. It's also recommended to register early as many of the workshops fill up fast and space is limited.
If attending can improve or at least enlighten your personal game it's still a worthwhile step ahead and ultimately a win-win investment. If it's an event that is associated with the industry that can lead to possible business liasons, even better.
