Every year thousands of conferences, for every field and discipline imaginable, take place all across the globe. Academic conference organizing and participation form perhaps the major chunk of the entire planning industry. Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent each year organizing all sorts of conferences that discuss and address a variety of challenges across a variety of subjects and topics. While some conferences are luxuriant and organized in fancy, holiday destinations and resorts, many are solely professional, taking place in tiny halls and conference rooms, but are just as important and vital as the former. 

Many people wonder what the entire purpose of conferences and webinars is. They are uncertain about the benefits that people stand to gain from taking part in conferences. These people are often under the impression that conferences and webinars are merely gimmicks to draw attention to the field and publicize the importance of a certain field. 

If you are one of these people, who are not quite sure how or why taking part in a conference will benefit you in any manner, then this article is just the thing for you. Detailed below are just a few of the advantages that participants of any international conference stand to gain. 

The Chance At The Vanguard Of Discovery & Development
Professionals often do not have the time to catch up with or find out what the most recent developments in their field are. This is because they lead busy lives, balancing their work and personal lives. These professionals oftentimes do not even find the time to spend time with their loved ones and undertake necessary chores, leave alone trying to dig up knowledge on how their field and discipline has been progressing. 

Conferences and webinars are meant to bridge this very gap – the divide between obtaining advanced knowledge and leading a successful career. Studies have shown that professionals (no matter what field or discipline they are involved in) who regularly attend conferences – 

are more aware of what’s going on in their fields, 
are more inclined to apply modern techniques and strategies in their work, 
are more likely to be successful and fruitful in their professional ventures, and 
are more likely to gain career elevation quickly. 
The Chance To Draw Inspiration & New Ideas
People are in want of inspiration in the modern-day. Constantly running through their nine to five routines and then spending the little time that they have off, with their family, friends, and loved ones can be draining not just for the body, but also for the mind. This makes it hard to them to think, be creative, and take risks. The consequences of not spending time thinking, being creative, and taking risks, is zero innovation! 

Innovation is the cornerstone of development and advancement, across all disciplines and fields. In order for people to innovate, they need to be inspired. And, in the fast-paced lives that professionals are forced to lead these days, it can be pretty hard to find this inspiration. That is why most professionals look to conferences and webinars for such inspiration. Wondering how a conference can be inspiring? Here’s how – 

by meeting with like-minded peers, talking to them and being inspired by their ideas, activities, and ambitions, 
from the encouraging words and speeches of successful professionals who have worked hard and achieved their dreams, 
by listening to world-class lectures (delivered by globally reputed subject-matter experts and domain specialists) on all the biggest challenges and issues plaguing your field, etc. 
The Opportunity To Climb The Ladder Of Career Progression
We live in a highly competitive world, where one has to compete with tens if not hundreds of people, for the very same opportunities. In such a scenario, one has to do everything in everything in their power to gain the edge over their competitors and get noticed. However, doing so is oftentimes much easier said than done. Gaining the edge of ones competitors requires –

a hunger for growth, 
a driving passion for your field, 
a desire to succeed, and
the virtues of patience and perseverance. 
Nevertheless, even people with all of these qualities in spades fail to make any progress in their careers. Why? Because they failed to take risks, meet with people, and have their skills and talent noticed by other professionals in their field. Conferences and webinars offer such people a great platform for them to showcase their extraordinary talents, skills, and abilities, through opportunities to – 

present papers, 
deliver presentations and lectures, 
interact and rub shoulders with stalwarts from their field.
As the saying goes – ‘Talent recognized talent’, conferences and webinars are great places for people to get noticed by their peers and superiors. This recognition, in turn, is guaranteed to pave the way to tons of new and lucrative –