Decade supporters prepare to meet in Fresno

Those who read my posts directly from the blog page will note the new countdown clock on the left. The annual Decade Software User Training Conference is only 34 days away, and as you can see from these photos, we've come along way since those first conferences so many years ago.

Over the years, we've found that conference attendees are as responsible as conference presenters for the success of these events—before, during, and after the conference.

Here are a collection of tips for getting the most out of our next gathering.

Before

• Examine your pre-conference agenda and synopsis to make sure that the classes you have scheduled cover the topics you want, and reflect both your interests and your experience level.

• Consider the class or lab format. Some topics lend themselves well to large audiences. Some offer more hands-on training and personal interaction with the speaker and other attendees.

• Make a list of the things you expect to learn from the classes and questions you want answered.

• Identify your strengths and weaknesses in the areas to be discussed, and be prepared to share your own knowledge when asked to do so.

During

• Attend.

• Take notes.

• Ask questions.

• Be willing to learn new ideas or techniques. Since you attend for the educational benefit, stay open to proposed concepts and workflows, and evaluate them for yourself outside of the conference.

• Give each speaker verbal and visual feedback so he or she knows whether or not the presentation is addressing your needs and concerns. (Is your focus drifting? Taking notes and asking questions periodically can help you stay “tuned in” and may help to make the presentation more meaningful!)

After

• Complete your conference questionnaire and let us know exactly what you liked and disliked about the presentations or other aspects of the conference.

• List the key points, alternate techniques, and new ideas you have learned.

• Review your notes and handouts periodically throughout the year, and download handouts for the classes you missed from the Decade Software Company web site (under Support > Envision User Groups).

• Experiment with the new concepts you were exposed to and evaluate what does or does not work for you. The most enlightening seminar is worthless if attendees immediately file away handouts and never review or practice lessons learned.

• Share your experiences with colleagues who could not attend the event. Be specific about what was rewarding or disappointing about your individual experience at the conference.

See you September 29th and 30th!