Conferences are intellectually stimulating. And when the inspiration from attending one conference begins to wane, another is around the corner to do the job!
Attending sessions, panels, keynote speeches, moderating sessions, and presenting are all exciting. Of course, there is the catching up with friends and colleagues at other universities and in other countries or continents. And most definitely there is the invaluable networking opportunity to meet new people.
I met three of my current research collaborators at various conferences in the last six years. Last but not least, there are the places that conferences give you the opportunity to see. I find this very important especially for someone who does research and teaching about cities and their transportation systems like myself.
For all of these reasons, I thoroughly enjoy and make sure I get the most out of each conference attendance. In the Urban Affairs conference in Vancouver, I moderated two sessions and presented a paper. I saw friends, and I met new people with whom I have continued the conversation post conference. I took part in one of the organized tours and learned about how real estate shaped the city.
I rode on the several of the bike lanes in the city, around the entire Seawall, and up and down Lyon’s Gate Bridge. I had conversations with locals about public transit and housing. There are marvelous aspects of the city (e.g., nature, weather, pedestrian/biking friendliness) but also tremendous planning challenges (e.g., housing, cost of living).
Looking forward to another stimulating experience in another city.
Mahtot [Mah-tote] Gebresselassie, PhD 