As HETMA embarks on the #Roadto10K, this journey is about more than just growing our numbers—it’s about supporting the personal and professional growth of each member. Every month, we’ll explore a new theme centered on reflection, growth, mental health, and confidence. If the themes ever feel overwhelming, this column will offer them in small, approachable steps to help you engage at your own pace.
February’s theme is:
OIL CHANGE: Time to level-up
Virtual conference means up-skilling, sharing with peers, and learning new insights. Tackle a challenge outside your comfort zone.
There’s something special about a virtual conference. It may not come with the excitement of travel, long convention halls, or after hours dinners, but it does come with opportunity. Virtual conferences afford the opportunity to up-skill, to learn from peers, and to discover new ideas that spark momentum long after the closing session. Maybe most importantly, they provide the opportunity to stretch yourself just a little beyond what feels comfortable. Whether you’re a seasoned virtual attendee or registering for your first online event, approaching a virtual conference with intention can turn a few hours at your desk into a meaningful professional milestone. Let’s talk about how to make the most of it!
Attending with Intention
A great virtual conference experience starts before the first session ever goes live.
Choose sessions that are right for you.
Just like an in-person conference, it helps to go in knowing what you want to get out of the experience. Are you looking to deepen technical knowledge? Explore leadership skills? Learn how peers are solving challenges similar to yours? Review the agenda, highlight priorities, and build a plan that aligns with your goals.
Timeblock before, during, and after sessions.
Protect your calendar. Block time not only for the sessions themselves, but also for quick breaks, note review, and reflection. Giving yourself space after a session to jot down takeaways or action items makes learning stick. Making note of new or expanded action plans based on what you’re learning also helps to justify attending the conference.
Tell people about it.
Let your boss and coworkers know you’ll be attending. This helps set expectations around availability—and it signals that you’re investing in your professional growth. Consider inviting others to join the conference as well! You never know what new conversations you can spark by getting your team together to hear outside perspectives.
Treat it like an in-person conference.
Be present, take notes, and close unnecessary tabs. Engage with the content instead of multitasking through it. The more seriously you treat the experience, the more valuable it becomes.
Participating Makes the Difference
Virtual conferences aren’t meant to be passive experiences. The real magic happens when you lean in.
Use the chat.
If you’ve attended a HETMA event before, you know the chat is lively, thoughtful, and full of insight. Ask questions, share resources, and respond to others. You’ll often learn just as much from fellow attendees as from presenters.
Turn your camera on for coffee breaks and Q&A.
Seeing faces builds connection. It makes conversations feel more human and opens the door to networking that feels natural instead of forced.
A few quick camera tips:
- Position your camera so you have a bit of headroom.
- Place light in front of you and slightly above, if possible.
- Use a virtual background or ensure your real background is tidy and non-distracting.
Follow best practices.
Mute when you’re not speaking, and turn your camera off when prompted. These small courtesies help sessions run smoothly and show respect for presenters and peers.
Ask your questions.
There are no dumb questions, and the HETMA community is passionate about helping others to learn and succeed. Walk away from the conference knowing what you need to know!
Extend the connection.
Find speakers and participants on LinkedIn, within the HETMA community, or on social platforms like X or BlueSky. A quick connection request or message can turn a brief chat interaction into a lasting professional relationship.
A Gentle Challenge
If you usually sit quietly, try posting in chat.
If you typically keep your camera off, try turning it on.
If you tend to stick to familiar topics, try one session outside your usual lane.
Growth often starts at the edge of comfort.
Join the HETMA Virtual Conference
Wednesday, February 18 and Thursday, February 19
Find details and access at:
hetma.org → AV Community Hub → Events and Replays
Show up curious, prepared, and willing to engage!
Your next insight, connection, or breakthrough might be just one session, or one brave chat message, away!
