In our busy lives and social media crazy world we often forget the importance of being in a live face-to-face setting with others from the business community.

Being active in your industry trade associations can bring with it many benefits.  There is a sense of pride and accomplishment in being connected to other people who are active in your line of work, but it can also be easy to talk yourself out of committing to that annual event year after year.  To get the most return on your investment you need to be engaged and participate.

As business owners we are busy, so the thought of taking a few days away from home and work to participate in an event, conference, or trade show can seem like a waste of time and money.  However, these live meetings might be just what you need to find new ways of growing your business.

Some think that being around potential competitors can be a chance for others to steal their ideas.  But not everyone is a competitor, many can be allies and friends.  The…