“Who should attend – who decides?”

I was talking to Tom Taylor from UK about Project Management Conferences and who should attend.

Indrek Reimand (IR): Tom are you attending this year’s conference in Tallinn on 27thand 28thSeptember.

Tom Taylor (TT): Yes I certainly am attending.  I have my tickets and I am looking forward to it.

IR: Have you been to Tallinn before?

TT: Yes I have. And several times. Including to this conference. That is why I am attending again.

IR: Do you attend many of these Conferences?

TT: I suppose I do these days. I think I will be in at least six interesting conferences just this year. And I really like this Baltic series – well organised, good venue, excellent participants and delegates, good socialising and networking – really good value compared with other options.

IR: So tell us who should be attending as delegates in your experience.

TT: Well you have explained very well on your website the event and the likely profile of delegates. But I think it is the decision makers who have most influence in most organisations. These are the Chief Executives or CEOs, the Department Leaders, the senior offices, the academic professors and such like – the bosses. They may decide to attend themselves, or to send a deputy, or to authorise staff to attend. And sometimes more than one person – to cover all aspects across two days and compare notes. Or to send two people to attend on one day each.  I recently witnessed a very senior and quite junior pair at such an event – helping each other across the days.

IR: What sort of sectors are you seeing and meeting at these Conferences?

TT: Well the demographics are certainly changing.  And this is a good thing for building the PM communities.  So for example I am seeing the armed forces as the military bring their expertise. Also on retirement from active service many such people are involved in PM in civilian life – or should be. And the emergency services are attending – such as police, fire, ambulance and coast guards – they have project outlooks.  Then there are more charity and voluntary organisations attending – along with related sports clubs, youth organisations, religious groups.

IR: So these are quite wide gatherings?

TT: Absolutely.  And we still have our traditional memberships.  From construction and the built environment.  From civils, infrastructure and utilities.  From local government with municipalities and cities. From Central Governments and ministries.  Within communications, IT and software.  General manufacturing, retail and distribution.  Health and education.  From academia we are seeing representation from many courses and faculties who have modules on project management as well as dedicated departments. Have I missed anyone out?  The projects and project management communities are certainly growing everywhere – including in Estonia and Baltic and Nordic regions.  These days there are so many people and organisations involved in the definition, design and delivery of change – including the customers, team members and stakeholders – as well as the “project managers”.  I think we will see growing numbers of them at this event in Tallinn in September.

IR: Do you have a final message on this theme?

TT: Okay. This is specific and really good opportunity to attend a cutting edge event – and build the community.   If your boss suggests that you attend then respond positively.   And if your boss does not know about this event bring it to their attention – for action.  And if you are a boss – well you get the idea…..

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