The Conference Effect: My Growth as a Communications Leader

As a rising communications professional, I’m constantly seeking opportunities to expand my skill set and explore the many industries within my field. This curiosity has led me to attend various conferences, from public relations to digital analytics, that have inspired me in unexpected ways. While some may assume conferences are just a series of long, boring presentations, I’ve come to view them as dynamic spaces for meaningful connection, professional exploration, and personal growth. These experiences not only introduced me to countless professionals but also reshaped how I lead and communicate.

The Power of Presence

Through my journey as a student leader, I’ve learned that simply being in the room can change how you show up in every other space you enter. Conferences go beyond panels and presentations and serve as an active training ground for real-time learning. Practicing small talk, reading the room, and refining your elevator pitch in front of professionals sharpens both confidence and self-awareness.

Showing up signals curiosity, commitment, and readiness to grow. That energy becomes contagious to those around you, no matter what space you choose to enter. Whether this appears as exchanging ideas with industry leaders or connecting with fellow students, these moments elevate how you engage, lead, and represent your community. 

Redefining My Leadership Style

Over the past year, I’ve attended six conferences, with LatinNEXT Summit and MeasureCamp Chicago standing out as especially formative.

At LatinNEXT, the Emerging Leaders panel encouraged me to reflect on who I admire and why. I wasn’t only identifying role models in my own life; it was about understanding the qualities I value and intentionally integrating them daily. Through this panel, I learned that the impact you create adds value to your performance and character. It’s not just what you do, but how you do it and how you empower others to do the same.

MeasureCamp Chicago, a digital analytics conference, stretched my thinking differently.. As an Advertising and Public Relations major, stepping into a data-focused environment was not the typical discussions I was used to, and it pushed me out of my comfort zone. However, this discomfort allowed me to leave this event with a deeper appreciation for data storytelling. Specifically, I learned how meaningful insights become actionable when communicated with clarity and confidence. Overall, MeasureCamp Chicago reminded and equipped me with the proper resources to display effective leadership with accessible ideas.

These lessons continue to shape my work as Chief Operations Officer of GrandPR and a full-time student navigating collaborative spaces. In these spaces, I’ve comprehended that leadership is less about being the loudest voice and more about creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable contributing. Confidence doesn’t come from knowing everything, yet from being willing to learn publicly. Each day, I am expanding my vision as a future communication professional to continue being an individual who leads with purpose and builds community through meaningful dialogue.

Beyond the Agenda: What Conferences Really Teach

Conferences are more than name tags and polished agendas. Looking further, they are places where ideas evolve, perspectives shift, connections form, and growth happens in real time. The most valuable takeaways also take place in the hallway conversations, the questions in breakout rooms, and the quiet moments of reflection afterwards. These are the moments that challenge your thinking, inspire your next move, and remind you why you chose this path. 

I encourage others to lean into these opportunities, not just to attend but to engage. Do not be afraid to ask questions, introduce yourself, and listen intentionally in your time there. The experiences you gain will follow you far beyond the conference room.

About Brit

Britlynn is a senior pursuing a degree in Advertising and Public Relations with a minor in Applied Communications. This is her second year with GrandPR, where she previously served as Account Associate and Account Executive, and now serves as Chief Operations Officer. Britlynn spent the past year handling communications for the Center for Civil Discourse and is currently the Calendar of Events intern at Experience Grand Rapids. After graduation, she hopes to begin her career in-house at a company that aligns with her interests.