My Journey Through the Yearly Cycle of Conferences: An Introvert's Perspective

Loneliness of a crowd

This past year, I found myself on the road to several conferences, one of which I was one of the organizers, some were conferences where I presented, and others where I simply attended. I experienced a mix of excitement and anxiety: the thrill of learning and sharing balanced with the mental and physical demands of travel.

Being mostly an introvert, these trips challenge me in ways that might not be obvious to others. Between crowded spaces, restless nights in hotels, dealing with jet lag, and missing my loved ones, I’ve struggled to identify the real purpose of this whole exercise, that I'm the only responsible for (Yeah... I asked for it!).

MVP Summit

Even, on the professional side, I’m often ridiculed by being called the world-renowned-speaker. I know this is from good intent, but the way it’s said (you know, tone and all), makes it sound a bit off. Also, from an outside perspective, this all looks glamorous.

I really wanted to know, why in the world am I hard on myself and going for this. So, this post is midway between self-therapy and a willingness to share with others who might feel the same and think they're alone and different.

Let's talk about some of the key areas this all means and relate to for me.

Finding Energy in the Crowd—Even as an Introvert

CPPS24

Whether it be in a small event, such as the Canadian Power Platform Summit with about 250 people, or large conferences like the Power Platform Community Conference or European Power Platform Conference with 1000s of people, the energy of these conferences is quite overwhelming. As someone who recharges best alone, constantly being “on” around large groups of people was daunting. But over time, I learned to look at it differently. I discovered it’s okay to find quiet moments within the busy schedule—sneaking out for a coffee alone or finding a peaceful spot during breaks to gather my thoughts.

Presenting with Leoza (PPCC)

In situations where I was presenting, I put on my bold clown suit. I imagine I'm one of those loud and extroverted people I've met during my life, I recall seeing Jon Levesque in person or even more recently Dona Sarkar... excellent presenters who inspire me in those moments. Recently I've also learned that others can do the same (putting on a suit for the show), I always perceived my good friend Chris Huntingford as one of those bold and loud extraverts... well, after attending his very touching and personal presentation at the Scottish Summit, I think differently of him, and want to thank him because I don't feel so alone ;-)

Prepping with Dona (Scottish Summit)

If you find yourself in this... Remember, you're not alone, you're not 'odd' ;-)

Dealing with the noise—Quietness doesn't mean loneliness

Airports are noisy, airplane engines are loud, and people chatting in a restaurant generate a high level of background noise. I suffer from tinnitus, and it really flares up in loud places.

I've found a few tricks to help me, but often I feel like it makes me look like an antisocial snob... going outside for a smoke, even if I don't - not with the group of smokers.. wearing over-the-ears headphones while walking the halls.. going to sit in a corner, alone...

Wear headphones!

For this purpose, the Scottish Summit dedicated a quiet room ... THANK YOU!!!

The struggle is real, between taking care of myself and taking care of my network of people. But I've realized that when you explain it, people DO understand and give you that quiet space. Sending me/you a simple head nod, allowing me to reply actively, or simply nodding back is the signal to know how to engage or not. Thanks for that ;-)

Room selection (DynamicsMinds)

Trick of the trade: when registering at the hotel don't hesitate to ask for a quieter room, the staff usually knows which ones they are and often can accommodate for it. Staying close to the conference venue does magic also for when you need to escape and there's no quiet room at the conference.

Jet Lag, Noise, and Sensory Overload—Managing the “Travel Hangover” 

Jet lag is a beast. I find that arriving a day early when possible gives me a little time to adjust to the time zone and settle in. It’s a luxury not always feasible, but when I can swing it, it saves me from feeling completely out of sync. I happen to be someone who doesn't need too much sleep overall, and I have a superhero skill: Power Napping (close to, but NOT Power Apping). This has proven very useful when fighting the after-lunch or pre-evening-gathering crash.

Outside at odd hours, dealing with jetlag (Scottish Summit)

Sensory overload is another challenge I face, especially when navigating busy conference centers. White noise apps have been a game-changer for me at night, letting me block out residual noise so I can fall asleep. And I’ve learned to permit myself to step out of the crowd when it all becomes too much. That little bit of peace makes all the difference.

Staying Connected with My Loved Ones—Stay Grounded  

What family is about!

There’s something surreal about attending back-to-back events, sometimes in different time zones. If you happen to present, you can get praise and get a bit of a big head.. Staying in touch with my family keeps me grounded. I make it a point to set aside time for daily calls or send little photos of my day to remind myself of home. And honestly, sometimes just talking about the everyday things—my family’s day, something funny that happened at home—helps me feel connected and brings a sense of comfort.

Bio Slide (Scottish Summit)

If you've attended one of my sessions, you may also have noticed that I put that part of my life right up front in my bio slide... Full-Time Grand-Dad, Part-Time Solution Architect says it all :-)

The Rewarding Side of It All—It can't just be bad, right?

Despite the hurdles, conferences are where I get inspired. It’s where I see new perspectives and learn directly from others in the field, fueling my work for months afterward. It’s also a reminder that, while I may be introverted, I can step outside my comfort zone when it counts. Each conference, in its own way, makes me appreciate the power of learning together and sharing what I’ve learned.

Learning from Luis and Mats (EPPC)

Having the opportunity to meet in-person, friends I’ve made through the time of being an active participant of this Microsoft Power Platform community is invaluable. Witnessing the growth that some of them, or even colleagues of mine achieve via these events gives me goosebumps.

The XRM Vision crew (PPCC)

The XRM Vision crew (EPPC)

But, when I finally get home, I DO embrace the quiet with gratitude. These trips taught me the importance of rest and gave me time to process all the new ideas. Ultimately, they remind me why I love what I do—and that it’s okay to find my rhythm in the world of conferences.

This is what it's all about! (EPPC)

In the end  

Traveling to multiple conferences each year isn’t easy, and as an introvert, it can sometimes feel like an uphill journey. But it’s a journey that gives back in surprising ways. For anyone else who’s introverted and finds themselves balancing similar struggles, I’d say: find your comfort kit, stay grounded with family, and remember to give yourself breaks. Conferences may come with their share of challenges, but they also offer moments that fuel the best parts of our work.

Me with 2 of my godchildren

To all those special people who have taken care of me, have given me their time, or have given me a simple nod of the head/wink of an eye, I thank you all, it means the world to me.