I just returned from a four three day conference in Boston called INBOUND 2015. The conference is an annual gathering of the HubSpot marketing automation community. Here is how HubSpot explains what INBOUND is all about:
INBOUND's purpose is to provide the inspiration, education, and connections you need to transform your business. This September, we will host thousands of marketing and sales professionals from almost every industry imaginable and from all corners of the globe at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. In 2014, we had 10,000+ attendees from all around the world and we're excited to be bigger than ever this year. Through inspiring keynotes, innovative talks, educational breakouts, hands-on lessons, and tons of networking, you will learn how the INBOUND experience, and especially our content, is truly remarkable.
This year the attendance was nearly 14,000 people representing HubSpot customers (like my company), marketing agencies, vendors and HubSpot employees.
I personally left INBOUND recharged not because I learned a lot of technical marketing automation information (my original objective) but because I was able to have an enjoyable "thinking vacation" where I could explore new ideas, talk to a wide variety of different people and listen to a wide range of keynote speakers ranging from Amy Schumer to Chelsea Clinton or from Aziz Ansari to Brene Brown.
The time spent helped me to think differently by seeing how many smart people there are out there who approach life and work differently from myself. It gave me time to shift my perspective and see that there a a whole number of new possibilities out there.
I would encourage anyone who will read this to strongly consider taking some sort of mental vacation where you can go and think, explore, get motivated and recharged. I remember reading about how Bill Gates and Steve Jobs would take "think weeks" to recharge. Back when I first read about it I thought the concept was a luxury that only the rich or retired could explore. INBOUND showed me how important this time can be and how within reach it is (for a small business owner like myself).
HubSpot should also be recognized for building a community around how to positively change marketing. This was a powerful connector for everyone who attended because they truly believe they are part of a movement. You see this with Apple or Salesforce,com where attendees share an unspoken bond that they are doing something different - something better. Please do not consider this cultish or mind control. It is not. It is great drover where creative people are coming together because they believe they share something special.
Take some time to recharge with a "thinking vacation".
