3 Step Checklist for CDOs to Select the Best Data Conferences

As a data professional, how do you cut through the noise of 'unmissable' conferences? 

After all, conferences take time away from everything that’s pressing at work along with the energy to be present, listen and think. 

So it’s always a bummer when you do that but haven’t learned anything new or established a helpful connection. 

After years of being on the conference circuit, I've developed a 3-step checklist to pick the conferences that add massive value.

Here it is,

Step 1: Reality check 

I am not a fan of reality TV shows but I am a big fan of real talk at the conferences.

Too often, I've sat through presentations that only highlighted the successes. Everything lined up perfectly: funding, technology, stakeholders, teams!  Paradise! 

But I’ve never worked in paradise.

What really adds value are speakers who are open about their challenges, talking about their wins and their struggles. How did they navigate through inevitable challenges? What did they try before they hit on a strategy that worked? Why do they think it worked?

That honesty is so important.

I also prioritize events featuring thought leaders with a vision of the future. But not just any vision - I want real insights on new technologies, on opportunities and gotchas behind the hype.

Step 2: Attendee Mix

Here's a not so secret secret: some of the most valuable conference moments happen outside the formal presentations. Those networking breaks, lunches and informal conversations? Pure gold.

But how do you know who'll be there before you arrive? 

Here's my trick: I look at who's on the advisory committee. Committee members typically attend the conference, giving you a sense of the caliber of professionals you'll meet.

I also coordinate with colleagues or industry peers to attend together. It's like creating your own friendly huddle within the larger event. 

Step 3: Vendor Integration

Let's talk about vendors. We all know the standard setup - a trade show floor with booth after booth.

I prefer conferences that integrate vendors into the educational aspects of the event. After all, vendors work with multiple companies and they can see broader patterns in both successes and failures and they can share them without naming the names. 

Conferences that get thought leadership from the vendors, and not thinly disguised sales pitches are few and far between.

Based on my experiences, here are the 3 conferences I look forward to the most:

#1. A-Team Data Management Summit

This is my Goldilocks conference - not too big, not too small, just right. It offers top-notch content that's always relevant to the current challenges we face as data leaders. 

What sets it apart is the thoughtful vendor integration, providing insights without the hard sell. Full disclosure: I'm on the advisory board and that's because I truly believe in what they're doing.

#2. FIMA in Boston

FIMA in Boston has become my annual reunion. It's where I reconnect with industry colleagues while engaging with what's new and working now.

What I love most is how it balances cutting-edge discussions with real-world problem-solving. It's like getting a year's worth of peer consultations packed into a few days.

#3. FIMA Connect in Florida

As a New Yorker, I'm not complaining about a Florida getaway in December! 

If you're looking for an intimate setting, a fun getaway, and for cultivating deep connections in our industry, this is your best bet.

To conclude, 

Bigger isn't always better in the conference world. Often, it's the smaller, focused events that pack the biggest punch. 

Apply this 3-step checklist so your time away from the office gives you the best experience.

What about you? Which is your favorite one in the conference circuit?

I'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.

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