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Categories: events
I’m off to Barcelona very, very soon, to get ready for the PMI Global Congress EMEA which is happening next week.
Here are the 10 things I am most looking forward to.
1. Great Networking
I’ve already arranged lunch with someone I’ve ‘met’ here on ProjectManagement.com. The discussion forums and messaging tools on the site really do allow you to make new connections that go far further than a simple ‘follow’.
I’m looking forward to meeting her and to finding out more about her project management world.
2. Great Speakers
The PMI events attract some great speakers and while there aren’t a lot of names I recognise on the line up (I don’t think anyone could top seeing Colin Powell for me – regardless of your opinion of his politics he was a fantastic headliner at one North America Congress), I know that they have all gone through a rigorous process for being selected.
I know that because I did too. I’m looking forward to meeting my fellow panellists at the session I am delivering on Wednesday. We’re giving a panel debate on future trends in project management and collaboration tools, as well as talking about how to practically use them in your job.
3. A Break
One of the main reasons I go to conferences is to recharge my batteries. I know that sounds ironic, as I often spend longer at the conference venue, then typing up my notes afterwards, than I do in a normal working day.
Plus it’s brain intense a lot of the time – not just listening to new ideas, but also having to think about everything from where to go to lunch to how to change my session registrations. Normally a work day includes at least some time where I’m doing something that I do regularly and can therefore do without thinking.
4. Inspiration
A good conference should mean I come home with loads of interesting ideas but most importantly, inspiration of how I can grow as a professional.
5. Practical Tips
The carer and personal growth thing is all good, but what I also need are practical tips that I can use in my project management day job from the moment I get back to the office. I’ll be hoping to mix up my sessions so I see a few inspirational, big picture talks and a few practitioner-level speakers for those practical takeaways.
6. Reaffirming Existing Connections
Yes, I hope to catch up with some old project management buddies. In fact, I’ve arranged to share an apartment with one, to keep costs down, get a nicer place between us and spend some time catching up.
I’m also hoping that there will be other old friends, colleagues, and clients there whom I can meet. We all work around the world, so while I’ve known some of them for years I don’t often get a chance to see them in person.
7. Great Food
I’m actually not a huge fan of tapas because I find it is way too easy to eat far too much. I also struggle to keep to Spanish dinner times and the trips I’ve had to Spain before have seen me go out to eat much earlier than the locals.
Having said that, the food is good, and I remember wonderful fish dinners on the seafront in Barcelona from previous visits.
Plus, churros. Need I say more?
8. Great Coffee.
It’s Spain. Of course the coffee is good.
9. A Sense of Community
One of the best things about being with loads of other people who love managing projects as much as I do is that it’s very reassuring to hear that we all have the same issues. “Oh, you have problems with stakeholders too, do you?” “Yes, my testing phase was just as terrible.”
We all live with the same challenges and it’s good to know that you are not alone in having to deal with an uncooperative sponsor.
10. Seeing My Book!
Collaboration Tools for Project Managers, my new book, will debut at the PMI Bookstore on site in Barcelona. I can’t wait, and I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to help myself from taking photos of it and then putting them on my Facebook page.
Published by PMI, it’s a totally revised and updated version of Social Media for Project Managers, building on everything that book covered and bringing it right up to date.
I haven’t yet seen a copy in real life and I’m so excited to know that it’s going to be there.
If you are going, get in touch through the PMI Congress app and I’ll try to find you to say hi!
Posted on: May 06, 2016 08:52 AM |
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