I just bought a ticket to a conference in 2028!
Are you making your own development a priority, or just waiting for the “right time” to invest in yourself? What opportunities are you missing because you hesitate to commit? What if the one new idea or connection that could change everything is waiting for you at the next event, but only if you show up? In this episode, I challenge you to treat your education and business development as non-negotiable and share personal strategies for always being present where possibilities happen.
Listen to this new 6-minute episode for motivation to lock in your growth, make yourself a priority, and discover why committing early matters more than you think.
If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at [email protected] or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com
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View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/
Summary:
In this episode, I dive into why I bought a ticket for a conference scheduled two years from now and what drives me to make early decisions when it comes to education and personal development. I talk about the importance of making learning a true priority in my business life, regardless of how many years I have been working in the industry or how many credentials I have earned. By purchasing tickets to events like the National Speakers Association Conference and the Global Speaking Summit well in advance, I am able to commit myself fully to attending and reaping the benefits of these unique experiences.
I detail how showing up at these conferences year after year often leads to unexpected rewards. It is not just about what happens in the sessions, but about who you meet in the hallways or at social gatherings. I share examples of opportunities that arose for me simply because I was present and invested in being part of the professional community. I also point out that some attendees could just as easily be speakers themselves, but they make the choice to be there and continue learning because they value ongoing growth.
Throughout the episode I encourage listeners to reflect on how they approach personal and business development. Are you putting these priorities first, even if it means committing well ahead of time? Or are you hesitating, waiting for a possible better offer or opportunity that might never come? I urge everyone to block their calendars, invest in themselves, and show up early to seize those vital new ideas and meaningful connections that only happen when you are truly present. The message is clear—your growth and success are worth planning for, and the time to invest is now.
I just bought a ticket to a 2028 conference. Listen to this episode, see what I’m talking about.
Hey, it’s Allen Berg. Welcome back to another episode of the Wedding Business Solutions podcast. It is 2026 right now. It is, uh, end of August, and I just bought a ticket to a conference in 2028. That’s right, I put my deposit down on a conference that is about 2 years away from now. So why would I do that? I did that because education is a priority for me.
No matter how long I’ve been doing this, no matter how many acronyms after my name, I make education a priority. And if I buy that ticket ahead of time, I know that I’m gonna go. And that’s why at this year’s National Speakers Association Conference in July, I bought my ticket for next year. Now they do offer a discount at the conference if you buy next year’s, so there’s an extra incentive. But, you know, I bought a ticket for a— that was for a year from now, and now I bought one for almost 2 years from now. They did a 3-payment thing on that one. But I do this every time.
Uh, in December, I’ll be attending the CSP Summit. So that’s only for Certified Speaking Professionals and Hall of Fame speakers, so a much smaller one. And last year, I bought this year’s ticket. And I’m going in October to the Professional Speakers Association of the UK and Ireland. And last year, I bought this year’s ticket.
And yet so many people wait until the last minute. Maybe I’ll get a better offer, maybe I’ll get a job or a gig or something like that. You know, and that could happen to me too. And if something really came up that I could always, you know, either get a refund or use it towards the next conference or something like that.
But I put it on my calendar and I make it a priority because you never know what’s gonna happen. It’s that person you meet, it’s the person sitting next to you in a session, it is the speakers on stage as well. But you never know. I mean, some of the best stuff often happens in the hallways or at the social events.
And yet so many people in our industry wait, well, maybe I’ll get a job. You know what? Something could come along and actually did for me this year when the National Speakers Association National Conference was happening. And I had someone reach out and they reached out late. It was only a few months away and said, you know, these are the dates.
And I said, I’m sorry, I can’t go. Right? And now we’re talking about next year, ’cause it’s an event they do every year. But I said no to that event because this is my priority.
And I want you to think about that as well. You could say, well, maybe something will come along, maybe something will come along. Or you could say, you know what? I need the next new idea that I don’t even know that I need. I need to meet someone that I don’t even know who that is or how that’s gonna help them or help me, but it’s gonna happen. And it only happens because you show up.
And when you know you’re gonna show up, you make that a priority and you buy those tickets when they come out early. Sometimes there’s a discount on them, like when I buy my next year’s ticket from some of these speaker conferences now. And that’s when you make yourself a priority.
And I can see it at some of these conferences. I see some of the same people year after year after year. And I know that some of those people could be on stage teaching because they’re, you know, maybe more experienced than some of the other people and certainly, and some of the other speakers even. But they’re making themselves a priority.
And then it’s also the showing up, because when someone thinks about who could I refer because I need someone in your area for something, the person they saw recently is the person that they’re going to remember. The person they never see is out of sight, out of mind.
So I knew that I wanted to go to this event. I actually looked at their— as soon as somebody told me about it, I looked at the website and there was no information about it. And this is a conference that happens every other year. It’s called the Global Speaking Summit, which moves around the world. It was in Australia last year. It’s— sorry, this year. It’s going to be in Germany in 2 years.
I’ve never been to Germany. The flight is not as long as certainly Australia coming from the East Coast here. So I told my wife, I said, we’re going to Germany in 2028. And to make sure that happens, I put my deposit on that ticket because again, they offered a 3-payment thing. Part now, part next year, part the year after.
But the other ones, I’ve bought these tickets and paid in full, and I’m going to do it again in December when I’m at my CSP Summit. I’m going to buy the ticket for the next one, and I’m going to do that because it’s a priority. And in October when I’m in the UK for the PSA UKI, I am going to sign up for the next one.
And I’m kind of going to challenge you the same thing. I’m going to challenge you, are you making education a priority? Are you making your development a priority? And are you putting your money where your mouth is?
And instead of waiting to the last minute to sign up, you’re signing up early and saying, I just need that one idea, and I don’t know what it is. I don’t know what I need. I go to my speaker conferences, I don’t know what I need. My business is in a really solid place. I’m, I’m not in the growth stage of my business anymore, and I don’t know what I’m going to need.
But I met some really interesting people at this last conference, and I’ve been communicating with some of them, and I get podcast guests from it. And, you know, sometimes it isn’t those notes that I took, but it’s the things, like I said, that happened in the hallway, the things that happen, you know, at the social events, the things that happen when you’re not expecting it.
And that’s when the good stuff happens. But it only happens because you show up.
So yes, I bought a ticket for a conference 2 years from now and I’m going to go. And then if the next one after that, 2 years after that, is in a place that I can get to without having to fly for 25 hours, I’ll probably go to that one too.
So how are you making your business development and your personal development and your personal education a priority? And the next time an opportunity comes up, instead of looking and going, well, look at the money, or I might get a gig then because it’s so far out, are you saying, I blocked my calendar off because I am important and my development is important?
How many people have you met at events that you weren’t going there to meet people, but you go there and somebody introduces you to someone, or you’re sitting next to someone in a session and it happens? But it only happens when you show up.
So what’s the next one you’re going to show up for?
I’m Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you’d like to suggest other topics for “The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast” please let me know. My email is [email protected] or you can text, use the short form on this page, or call +1.732.422.6362, international 001 732 422 6362. I look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks.
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Question
How can buying a ticket to a conference years in advance benefit my business?
Tags:
#professionaldevelopment #events #mindset #planning
Answer
When I buy a ticket early, I’m committing to my growth. It locks me in and makes learning a non-negotiable priority—not just something I fit in if nothing else comes up. It’s a way to invest in myself before life gets busy or new gigs tempt me to skip it.
Takeaway: Early commitment makes your growth non-negotiable.
Question
Why should I prioritize education even after years in business?
Tags:
#education #lifelonglearning #growth
Answer
No matter how long I’ve been at this, I make education a must. There’s always something new out there—an idea, a connection, a perspective I haven’t found yet. Complacency is the enemy of progress.
Takeaway: Lifelong learning keeps you moving forward.
Question
How do conferences help beyond just what’s on stage?
Tags:
#networking #events #relationships
Answer
The gold often isn’t in the sessions—it’s in the hallways. Unexpected conversations, the person next to you, or someone at a dinner often provide my most valuable takeaways. Those chance encounters spark real growth.
Takeaway: The best insights happen outside the agenda.
Question
What’s the risk in waiting until the last minute to sign up for events?
Tags:
#decisionmaking #events #planning
Answer
If you keep waiting for a “better offer” or a surprise obligation, you’ll rarely commit at all. By putting it on your calendar early, you stop letting everything else dictate your development.
Takeaway: Early decisions protect your priorities from distractions.
Question
Is it OK to say no to other opportunities if I’ve committed to a conference?
Tags:
#boundaries #businessgrowth #priorities
Answer
Absolutely. If something else comes up, but I’ve already made my education a priority, I stick to it. It’s about honoring the investment I made in myself.
Takeaway: Your commitments to growth deserve to come first.
Question
How can attending conferences affect my referrals and visibility?
Tags:
#referrals #visibility #networking
Answer
When people see me year after year, I’m top of mind for referrals and opportunities. If I’m not visible, I’m easily forgotten, no matter how good I am.
Takeaway: Show up often enough to be remembered.
Question
Why do I buy next year’s conference ticket while I’m still at this year’s event?
Tags:
#planning #professionaldevelopment #events
Answer
Early bird discounts are great, but it’s more than that. I commit right away to ensure I keep growing and networking. It’s about being proactive—not reactive—with my development.
Takeaway: Commit before excuses find you.
Question
How do I handle fear of missing other gigs if I book far in advance?
Tags:
#mindset #planning #priorities
Answer
I trust that my long-term development is worth it. If an occasional gig overlaps, I know I can reassign or adjust. But missing out on my own growth is a bigger loss than missing one job.
Takeaway: Your development is a stronger investment than one missed gig.
Question
What if I don’t know exactly what I’ll learn at a conference?
Tags:
#growth #learning #uncertainty
Answer
Some of my best breakthroughs come from things I wasn’t looking for. I show up knowing that the right idea or connection will find me—even if I don’t yet know what I need.
Takeaway: The best ideas show up when you do.
Question
Is it worth traveling internationally for conferences?
Tags:
#professionaldevelopment #globalnetworking
Answer
Absolutely. Traveling for events, like the Global Speaking Summit in Germany, exposes me to new people, cultures, and perspectives. The hassle of travel is nothing compared to the value I gain.
Takeaway: The world is full of opportunities—go where the growth is.
Question
What advice do you have for making education a real priority?
Tags:
#mindset #selfinvestment #career
Answer
Don’t just talk about learning—put your money and your calendar behind it. Commit early, show up, and treat your development like your most important client.
Takeaway: Invest in yourself with the same seriousness you invest in your business.
Question
Why attend the same conferences every year?
Tags:
#networking #reputation #relationships
Answer
Attending regularly builds relationships and familiarity. People remember me, think of me for opportunities, and trust me more because I keep showing up.
Takeaway: Consistency builds a reputation that opens doors.
Question
How do I make the most out of being at a conference?
Tags:
#networking #presence #events
Answer
I stay open to spontaneous connections. I’m not just there for the sessions—I talk to people in hallways, ask questions, and let unexpected encounters lead to new ideas and partnerships.
Takeaway: The magic happens when you’re present, not just attending.
Question
Should I worry about cost when deciding to go to an event?
Tags:
#investment #mindset #events
Answer
I view event tickets as investments, not expenses. The relationships, ideas, and opportunities I gain always pay off far beyond the price—sometimes in ways I couldn’t predict.
Takeaway: Invest in events for returns you can’t calculate up front.
Question
Is it possible to grow my business when it already feels solid?
Tags:
#growth #success #continuousimprovement
Answer
Definitely. Even when my business isn’t in rapid growth mode, I show up to conferences because new ideas and people still spark improvements—even if I don’t know what needs changing yet.
Takeaway: There’s always room to grow, even at the top.
Question
How do conferences lead to podcast guests or collaborations?
Tags:
#networking #collaboration #content
Answer
I’ve met fantastic people at events who later became podcast guests or partners. It doesn’t always happen in sessions—often it’s over coffee or in the hallway.
Takeaway: Your next collaboration could be one handshake away.
Question
How do I keep showing up even when it’s inconvenient?
Tags:
#discipline #consistency #success
Answer
I commit early, block the time, and remind myself that opportunities only come to people who show up. The inconvenience is temporary; the growth is permanent.
Takeaway: Opportunity favors those who keep showing up.
Question
What mindset helps me get the most from events?
Tags:
#growthmindset #learning #curiosity
Answer
I arrive curious, open to new ideas and people. I don’t judge an event only by the schedule—I look for the hidden gems that show up when I least expect them.
Takeaway: Curiosity and openness turn every event into a growth opportunity.
