Admittedly, I am a fan of social media.  I like to see what the mean girls from high school ended up like.  From a business perspective - I love that I have developed some great relationships with people online.  It is quick and easy to "meet" someone - often it is something as simple as a RT or @ reply on twitter.  But, as much as I enjoy learning about people through social media - there is nothing like actually meeting someone in person and creating a *true* connection with them.  In fact - one of the main reasons I go to conferences is because of the amazing conversations I have with REALLY smart people.  I can honestly say that I have never been to a single conference where I didn't walk out smarter than when I walked in - not even including any of the actual conference sessions. (If you get really lucky - you even get to have dinner with a legend...)

So - As you look toward fall - Here are the conferences that are coming up in September and some tips to save $$ -

9/9-9/11 ERE Fall Expo 2009 Hollywood, Fl

• Conference $ Saver - Register by Friday and save an additional $200 - On twitter?  DM or @ reply to scottbaxt for addt'l discount!
• Travel Tip - Travelocity has Flight/Hotel deals for the Westin Diplomat at a savings of around $60/night over the conference discount

9/23-24 Recruitfest Toronto, CA

• Conference $ Saver - Use "EARLYBIRD" by 8/15 for an additional $50 savings.  Also, The prices are all in Canadian.  Most of us going are not.  That $250 bargain price (After the discount) is really closer to $200 for the rest of us!
• Travel Tip - Get your passport like TODAY.  There are 2 airports in Toronto that you can check flight prices on as well.  Make sure you call the hotel and get the recruitingblogs.com rate - roughly $175/night - much better than the $350 on the web site.

9/30-10/2 HR Technology Conference

• Conference $ Saver - Register by 9/18  for an additional $300 savings.  To be honest - the expo area is HUGE and if you are looking or a geek like me - you can spend 2 FULL days just in the expo space (Trust me, I have done it the last 4 years).  If you are someone wanting to JUST go to the expo - Add a comment or email me I have FREE passes.
• Travel Tip - Chicago has 2 airports - MDW & ORD - both would work for the conference.  The expo is a bit out of the way, so they have shuttle buses that drive you back and forth from downtown airports.  Want to save money - Priceline (Name your own price) a hotel in the Millennium Park, Loop & Grant Park Area of downtown in the 4 star range.  Last 2 years I have been at the "official conference hotel" at a rate of $90 per night including taxes.  Even if you don't end up at the "official" hotel - you walk a block or two and still take the shuttle bus

I will be at all 3 of these shows - not speaking this year, but enjoying the knowledge gathering - come September and hope to see you there!

(Cross posted from HRTechnologyBlog.com)