WorkbenchCon: Is it worth it?
WBC is most certainly an experience not to be forgotten. It’s a wild whirlwind of meeting new people, connecting with different brands, and seeing some of your online friends in-person. Over 500 people gather for a Maker Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. They join each other to attend informational classes, enjoy catered meals, and have quality time and conversation. All of this happens under the roof of a cozy, sleek hotel.
The Cost
There’s a good chance you’re here reading this because you have been told “It’s so expensive!” And it is, in many ways. There is no doubt that a weekend-long conference in a nice hotel with people you really want to meet, will come at a high cost. Your flight, your stay, and your ticket to get through the door, all adds up fast. However, nothing worth having comes easy, so if one of your goals is to grow your business, chances are by now you have already coughed up some cash. Nickles and dimes aside, take for instance the theory of Your Circle of Influence vs Your Circle of Control (popularized by Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People). One of the most dangerous traps for not being effective or successful in your business, is placing your focus on the things you cannot control versus what you can. We met several people there who had been saving up for the trip for months (or years), and some who opened up a credit card to finance the trip. There are some who pitched an idea for a class to teach and were sponsored to attend. Several makers in the community offer codes to help save you some money off your ticket, and several give some away. No matter how you get there, you can write it off as a business expense. Consider and pin point where your time and energy is better spent. When done right, the reward is greater than the risk.
The Experience
The vibe is very uplifting and highlights the many different paths to success for your business and career as maker. It’s not open to makers only, but also to companies dedicated to business growth, education and ways to enhance your skills. The idea is to thrive by working together with several like-minded do-ers of all levels. The list of simultaneous happenings is endless so I will share a few. Example 1: A rep from a small start-up company attends seeking to reach potential clients yet finds themselves falling in love with pouring epoxy after taking a hands-on class. Example 2: An influencer with over 200k followers sits quietly listening to and learning from one they just met with under 200 followers while sipping a cup o’joe. Example 3: A friend sits in on another’s hour-long lecture (not expecting to, but ends up) learning loads more about them and their background than they ever did before.
What’s unique about WorkbenchCon is that the event offers a variety of different spaces and opportunities for connections to be made. It checks all the boxes for every type of learner and opens a door for you to step out of your comfort zone. I will tell you that overstimulation is inevitable whether you’re an introvert or not. You might feel worn out by the amount of conversations made yet still somehow you’ll find yourself hyped up with energy from all of the excitement.
The Take Away
The point is, things won’t happen until they do. So if you never go, you’ll never know. There is an outpour of positive encouragement and testimonies of those sharing about the many ways it has changed their lives. There may not be crystal clear proof you can see, but in this community you can FEEL it. No matter your expectations as a first-timer, I can assure you that you’re bound to leave having learned something new and good. Whether it be a light turned on in your mind for what you truly want to achieve, or a reminder that you need to hop on a plane more often and wear slippers inside a hotel lobby of a new city; it is truly an investment worth making.
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