If they had free beer, would you go to a ministries conference?
I was a speaker at the San Jose Faith Formation Conference this past weekend. San Jose is my home diocese, but I have no role in the planning or production of the conference.
Still, because this is my home, I was concerned about the attendance. Registration was down from previous years, which is true of every conference I know of. The reason everyone cites for the low numbers is the weak economy. At first, I thought this was a reasonable explanation. But then I began to “do the numbers.” Registration was only $30, and there were no airfare or hotel costs for the parishes in the five dioceses within driving distance of the conference. If you packed a lunch, there were no food costs.
So now I’m wondering, if cost is not a significant barrier, then what would a training conference need to include to attract a significant number of parish leaders and volunteers? More specifically, what would a ministries conference need to include to attract you? If there were a conference in your backyard, what would entice you to give up one or two days of your time to strengthen your ministry? Please click on the comments link and share your thoughts.
By the way, there was no free beer, but there was a free wine and cheese reception!
P.S. If you live in or near Orlando, are you planning to come to the Fashion Me a People conference in January? If so, what made you sign up? If not, what could be added to the conference that would be a draw for you?
I am trying to attend conferences that are purposefully small. Seth Godin is doing this sort of thing- “50 people only events in NYC”. If I could meet and interact with someone of real interest, I’d probably be more likely to attend.
Mike, I think Godin is always an interesting read. But I don’t know if his 50-people-only events would transfer to ministry conferences. That wouldn’t be enough people to financially support an event at the rates church folk are used to paying. Of course, you can always gather 50 local folks for a conversation. Do you know of any micro ministry conferences? Or were you thinking of education conferences?