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Tradeshows and Education: Infocomm 2013

fedsandstates-0113Required disclaimer: This represents the opinion and experience of me personally and does not represent any specific policy, law or official guidance. Having just wrapped up last month with discussions on sequestration, it doesn’t seem possible to jump to discussing InfoComm 2013.

We’re just weeks away from invading the city of Orlando, Florida, when tens of thousands of geeks of all kinds will descend into the Orlando Convention Center for the ProAV’s biggest education/tradeshow on our continent. People are asking the big question, “Are you going this year?” Unfortunately, I believe many in our industry won’t be able to attend.

I believe this is one of the biggest pitfalls within technology tradeshows and educational opportunities. It seems somewhat of a trending culture to NOT focus on the employee and his/her professional growth, but to look at them as a phrase I continue to hear, “Just be glad you have a job.” While I completely understand and try to practice an attitude of thanks when I’m sitting at my desk working a specific project, it does scare me a bit to realize that the opportunities and successes that I’ve had in my career came from a very different workforce attitude.

For me at least, I view these events as a huge value to build on my network of relationships strengthening the trust of the folks I work with and having the opportunity to “think outside the box.” While I’m sure all of us agree and are grateful to be where we are in our professional careers, we still must strive for success and attending these events provides many opportunities to see the bleeding edge of technology, learn from some of the best and brightest individuals in the ProAV marketplace.

The big question is how as a professional do you share all these qualities to a workforce environment that has the “happy to have a job” attitude? Looking forward to the days ahead and to land my feet in Orlando for InfoComm! Hopefully, I’ll see you there.

Don Palmer has 15 years in Civilian Federal service, during all of which he’s been involved with AV- and IT-related project management, including aspects of budget and procurement. Prior to joining the federal government, Don worked in telecommunications and network communications with a large outsourcing call center. Reach him at palm1004@gmail.com

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