There's always some seminar beckoning you to attend. Frequent-flyer miles, however, are no way to decide which event to choose. Here's a guide that you and your team can use.  That way, you ask the right questions to get the career-turner, not the time-burner.

One way is through rigorous training. Seminars and symposiums are an excellent way to sharpen skills and keep your fingers on the pulse of the industry, but which events and training sessions should you and others in your company attend in 2005? How can you make the most of your training budget? And while you're doing the numbers, remember that the right decision is not just about travel expenses. The most significant cost might just be the time spent away from the office.

At the best events, attendees leave with knowledge they can immediately put to good use. That knowledge includes practical solutions that can be readily applied to their companies' concerns.

Tip: Look for events that offer a variety of topics relevant to you and your company,  with event schedules that allow you to attend the key sessions.

Do your homework, before and after the event.

• Be prepared. What do you hope to gain from the experience?

• If you’re a manager sending others, tell attendees what you expect them to gain. List anticipated learning outcomes. Make sure that the event will meet your objectives.

• If possible, submit questions in advance. That way, questions specific to your company’s needs are addressed. Submitting advance questions also helps you to leverage the presenters' expertise.

• After the event, share the knowledge. Managers should arrange to have those who attended brief others in the company.

Look for value-adds

Does the event offer additional benefits? Examples may include:

• Attendees gain educational credits, such as CEUs. These credits may be applied towards professional licensing and scholastic achievement, and are excellent motivators for personal advancement.
• The event provides opportunities for networking, which often turns out to be as beneficial as the presentations themselves. Make time to seek out presenters who especially draw your interest. Do you have a question that wasn’t answered? Collect business cards so that you can stay in touch with colleagues for future consultation.
• The event enables you to conduct other business. Many events have a trade-show component. Even if you don't want to buy anything, these exhibits provide a learning showcase. Exhibitors are likely to be quite knowledgeable; you can use their expertise to your advantage.

Is the price reasonable?

For a conference in the U.S., the average domestic flight costs $325. On top of that will be conference fees, lodging, meals, and local transportation.

While registration and event fees are typically presented to attendees as a single lump sum, you can expect that total to be about $400 for each full-day training session. That's roughly $50 per hour.

Nationwide, the average daily hotel room cost is $140 per night. Most companies also allot a $50 per diem for meals. Some events, however, may offer meals as part of the registration fees. Finally, local transportation costs, whether for car rental or taxis, will on average add another $35 per day toward the total.

Therefore, plan on a budget of $625 a day plus the cost of a round-trip airline ticket. For a two-day event, that means a budget total of $1,575. Bottom line: Attendees should take advantage of all that the event has to offer!

Which events will you attend in 2005?

One area gaining considerable attention these days is that of transformers. In this issue's article on Doble Test Assistant, you'll discover findings by major insurance groups that carry sobering predictions. One insurance group predicts substation transformer failures will rise by 500% within 10 years. Another insurance-group study indicates that the operational life cycle of transformers is decreasing.

“The Life of a Transformer” seminar, Feb 21-25 in Laguna Beach, California, U.S., will provide in-depth knowledge on every aspect of large power transformers from cradle to grave. This 4.5-day seminar will be presented by 25 industry experts.

Now in its 72nd year and highly regarded as the premier industry event for electric utilities, The International Conference of Doble Clients, April 10 – 15 in Boston, MA, U.S., will have over 75 technical presentations by utility engineers during this 4.5-day event. This event is offered free of charge to any Doble Client with a Services Agreement.

For more information, click on the Doble events page.

©2005 Doble Engineering Company All Rights Reserved.

If you would like more information about Doble products and services, please send an email to dobleinfo@doble.com