It's conference season for many media associations, as The National Associations of Black, Asian, Lesbian and Gay Journalists are holding their own meetings before the end of August.  After that, it's the Online News Association conference (ONA) followed by the Radio-Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) that is partnering with the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) at the end of September.

I've been a regular conference attendee at many media association gatherings since 1998 as I'm a big believer in "sweat equity." That is, rather than pay out-of-pocket expenses just to attend, I work as a volunteer at conferences by moderating panels or overseeing training projects. 

I've pulled back these days, but I still find entities willing to fund my participation as I pitch new ideas to conference program committees. In two cases, I volunteered to sit on the convention planning committee for NABJ and am co-directing the Career Summit for the ONA in Boston.  Sweat equity in exchange for registration fees.  

You have to decide early on how much volunteering adds value to your brand, if any.  For me, targeting specific gatherings of people and showing up early and often has done wonders.  

I strongly recommend that you find an annual gathering of professionals in your area and show up.  You cannot find your next big thing sitting at home and sending e-mails with resumes attached or tweets, Facebook, LinkedIn or Quora queries, although it is a start. But it is essential to build on tried and true networking, identifying colleagues who are going to gatherings and plan your attendance.  Bring a wingman or woman if you are shy, claustrophobic, have some form of disability or feel different, but with the goal of meeting people. If you can't afford the fee, volunteer for a day or two.

If I see you, be ready to answer this question:  How much hand sanitizer have you used so far?

doug@knowledgewebb.net

 *Chantal de la Rionda edits this blog.