Often, choosing to participate in a conference or a tech meet up is not the simplest thing in the world. There are so many exciting events out there; however many of them are miles away. That’s when the question of taking part in it involves coordination and lots of planning. We know all about it, and that’s why we wanted to share some tips on how to do it effortlessly. Today, we’ve decided to talk more about going to a tech conference while staying on budget and give you some tips and tricks to follow.
1. Start with preparations as soon as possible
If you’re on a budget, or you just don’t want to spend some extra money on accommodation, start planning your trip as soon as you decide you want to go. If the conference you wish to participate in is in a flight distance, make sure you’ve checked out some websites that offer cheap flights. We love kayak, for instance, and use it quite often. Checking their offers regularly might lend you some pretty good deals when it comes to plane tickets.
2. Search accommodation on a few different sides
You don’t have to settle for the first thing you see that kind of fits your budget. A good thing about the free market is that you actually have plenty of options to choose from. Booking, Airbnb are fantastic websites which often offer good deals when it comes to accommodation. And if you feel risky, you might want to wait for the last minute bookings – sometimes you can crash for pennies!
3. If you really cannot afford to pay for the accommodation
… but you would really like to participate in a tech conference maybe trying Couch surfing is not a bad idea. We’ve tried it, and loved it! Quite frankly, we were passionate couch surfers for years! Besides allowing us to see new places and be on new and exciting destinations, it allowed us to meet new people and make connections that last for a lifetime. By deciding to use this option we guarantee you an excellent, yet budget-friendly, experience.
4. Use the privilege of Social networks if you want to go on a tech conference while staying on budget
C’mon, we know you’re smart. That’s why you should make the most out of modern technology and ways of communication. And joining groups and pages on Social networks which gather like-minded people might be the way which will land you some inexpensive accommodation. By liking and joining groups related to the event you want to visit you might find people who want to be on a budget as well and find a way to split some costs. Carpooling, taking the same accommodation and cutting costs are some of the fantastic techniques you can stay on budget, while at the same time having an opportunity to meet new people and make connections.
5. Give your offer
Being resourceful is an asset. If you feel like you really cannot afford participation in some event, think about what you can offer to the organizers in return for a free ticket or a significant discount. If you’re a startup owner, you can think of the ways how your services or a product can be at use, and if you’re a freelancer, you can offer to write some PR articles about the conference and promote them on social networks. Would you think about it?
We know that participation in tech events can exhaust your budget. But you shouldn’t be discouraged from taking part in them. We gave you some tips on how you can save money and stay on budget and still afford to participate. What do you think, is it doable?
