Attending Prestigious Conferences: Should You Include Them on Your Resume or LinkedIn?

Attending conferences such as the World Business Dialogue (WBD), HPAIR, Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations, South American Business Forum (SABF), and St. Gallen Symposium can significantly enhance your professional profile and demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and networking. However, it's essential to critically evaluate the benefits of attending these events before including them on your resume or LinkedIn profile.

Why Include Conferences on Your Resume or LinkedIn?

Attending these prestigious conferences can showcase your engagement in the industry, networking opportunities, and skill development. Here’s a breakdown of why you should consider including such experiences on your professional profiles.

Demonstrates Engagement

Participating in these conferences shows that you are actively engaged in your field and interested in broader discussions about business and leadership. This active participation can be a valuable point for potential employers.

Networking Opportunities

Attending these events often provides networking opportunities with professionals and peers, which can be beneficial for future job prospects. Building a professional network is crucial in today's business world.

Skill Development

Conferences often include workshops and panels that can enhance your skills and knowledge, making you a more attractive candidate for potential employers. These experiences can be highlighted to demonstrate your willingness to learn and grow professionally.

Extracurricular Involvement

Including such experiences shows your commitment to professional development and highlights your extracurricular involvement. This can make you stand out as a well-rounded candidate.

How to Include Conferences on Your Resume or LinkedIn

Format: You can create a dedicated section for 'Conferences Attended'. Here's an example of how to format your entries:

Conferences Attended:

World Business Dialogue
Cologne, Germany - March 2023 HPAIR 2023
Harvard University, USA - August 2023 SABF 2023
Buenos Aires, Argentina - July 2023 St. Gallen Symposium 2023
St. Gallen, Switzerland - May 2023

Include details such as the name of the conference, the date, and any relevant information about your participation (e.g., panelist, speaker, attendee, etc.).

Personal Reflection: A First-Hand Experience of WBD 2019

The experience at the World Business Dialogue (WBD) in 2019 was marked by both highs and lows. While the initial confidence in attending the conference quickly faded, the reality shocked many participants, particularly those who did not gain entry to creation labs.

Initial Imppressions:
Arriving at the hostel, my first impression was positive. Despite the unexpected setup with young participants managing tasks, there was a friendly atmosphere which provided comfort. However, as the event progressed, the divide between those with creation lab access and the rest became stark.

For the first three days, participants who did not secure entry were left with nothing to do. The organizers either failed to provide meaningful activities or, in some cases, did not provide any at all. Some delegates even left early to tour different cities.

A protest was initiated among the attendees, voicing frustration with the lack of organized activities and the perceived unfairness. The workshops, which were supposed to be a compensation, were deemed inadequate and unhelpful by most attendees.

Day 4 and Beyond:
The final day was disappointing, with a full-day event that was underwhelming. The only positive experience was the travel to the Netherlands, which came at a significant cost.

The party reportedly meant for delegates was filled with 'outsiders,' which were people who likely had connections to the organizing team. This raised ethical concerns about the inclusivity and fairness of the event.

Reflections
Upon reflection, many attendees, including myself, felt that the event was a waste of time and money. There was a feeling of being misled and not being given the value promised by the conference organizers. The sentiments about the World Business Dialogue as a "rip-off" were shared widely by attendees.

In conclusion, while the World Business Dialogue has great potential, its execution and organization leave much to be desired. It's important to weigh the benefits of attending such conferences, especially when they fail to deliver on their promises. Potential attendees should thoroughly research and consider the value proposition before making a decision.