The call of the conference.

An early-stage entrepreneur conjures up the image of someone who's got no time for anything that doesn't further his/her business. Abs turn to pot bellies, hairstyles change to long and longer, beards become biblical, families are held together with tokens and promises, friends limited to birthday e-cards, and conversations about politics and what's hot on TV become impossible to sustain. So why should/would an entrepreneur attend conferences?

Attending conferences specific to your field or ones where you're likely to find customers are no-brainers. Attendance is a sales and marketing requirement. How about conferences for entrepreneurs? For a first-timer, or someone who's testing the waters, these conferences could be a great learning experience. They usually have tracks on the basic to-do's and you get to ask questions, or better yet, listen to someone else doing ditto, and you'd easily get your money's worth out of it. There's also the promise of networking, which delivers, but rarely as much as you'd expect (that's another post). Still, if you're new to startups, picking one or two of the more effective conferences (check out the speakers and panels first) is definitely worthwhile.

What about entrepreneurs who already know about stuff like incorporations and term sheets? Shouldn't they be out hustling for team members, customers, funding etc., instead of attending a conference? Well, I asked myself that question, but decided that I could clear up one day and go to one. And I did so for 'inspiration'. No, I didn't necessarily expect new ideas, I've already got mine, but it is kind of like going to a revivalist meeting - when you're in a gathering of the uber-faithful, everyone is so incredibly upbeat and excited about entrepreneurism that you can't help but absorb some of it.

Yes, you do have to pick and choose which keynote speaker is worth your while, and panel discussions may do little except give you a place to sit and catch up on email, but going to one does freshen your thinking. If nothing else it re-energizes and confirms your startup decision - a little caffeine for the entrepreneurial spirit. I've yet to meet someone at these conferences who wishes he/she stuck to a corporate job. And, as an added bonus, you're likely to run into old friends and maybe meet someone new who's fun too (just don't go expecting to find your CTO there).

So, if you hear the call of an entrepreneurs' conference, it's okay to give in once in a while. Notwithstanding the lukewarm coffee, the hard folding chairs, the dry chicken and the soggy salad, there could be dynamic speakers and fascinating stories too - a nice little pick-me-up for the hard-working entrepreneur.