Like Anne, my initial motivation is often a free place!  I have no training budget so it can be a great way to get to go to these things.  Sadly some smaller conferences though still charge the speaker to attend and can’t provide any help with travel fees though so it is worth checking that before you put your proposal in if it’s an issue.

My workplace are very supportive in terms of offering work time though as they understand it’s good publicity.

I just need to prepare sooner – however much I intend to do the paper ahead of time, it always ends up being just before the deadline!

Jennie Hillyard

@mininglibrarian

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North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers

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From: CIG E-Forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Welsh, Anne
Sent: 08 September 2015 11:20
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [CIG-E-FORUM] Why speak at conferences?

Some great points coming through – and already some hints and tips coming in for the “Top tips!” strand (which will be helpful for any conference speakers, I reckon).

It’s great to hear that some employers are actively promoting the idea that staff should be getting out there and telling the world what they are doing, and it’s also affirming to see that we are all motivated by the desire to share. (Picking up on Karen’s point – this is not always true at some academic conferences, where grandstanding can be a feature).