The Value of Conferences

In early March, I returned home to Georgia (USA) to present a couple of sessions at the Georgia Emergency Communications Conference (GECC) in Columbus after a two-year hiatus. I often talk about how conferences refill my cup, and this one was no exception.

On my first day, I attended a deeply moving session by Ryan Chambers, who spoke about “the power of peer support” and the critical role first responders play in supporting one another during difficult times. One of his comments resonated with me profoundly. He described peer support as simply “intentional presence.” That phrase struck me as both simple and incredibly powerful because it’s true. That’s what makes conferences so valuable. They go beyond networking. They’re about intentional presence. That, in and of itself, is a definite love language.

When we come together, we create space to recharge, refresh, and strengthen our connections. Conferences aren’t just about professional development; they’re peer support in action. Let’s explore how these gatherings serve as more than just networking opportunities; they are lifelines of support for those who serve.

There is something truly incredible about witnessing so many individuals from different walks of life come together in one place. They arrive from all kinds of backgrounds, representing small, medium, and large emergency communication centers. Some may come from the same state but from opposite ends of it, while others have traveled from entirely different regions.

Despite these geographic and organizational differences, they find themselves standing on common ground, instantly connected by shared experiences and mutual understanding. Their attendee badges may have displayed the names of different cities, counties, or agencies, but in reality, they were not all that different from one another. Regardless of where they came from, they were facing many of the same struggles. They were working through staffing shortages, navigating complex and ever-changing technologies, and striving to create a sense of stability and security within their centers.

As I moved from one session to the next, I watched these barriers begin to fade. The walls that so often separate agencies and organizations in day-to-day operations seemed to crumble. Emotional fences that may have kept people guarded quickly disappeared as conversations unfolded.

Attendees reached out to one another with an openness that was both refreshing and necessary. They shared their challenges, their frustrations, and their uncertainties, not with hesitation, but with the understanding that those around them could relate. In those moments, they were not simply networking. They were connecting, learning, and supporting one another in a way that was both powerful and deeply needed.

In the end, they were turning to each other, giving the time, grace, and compassion that so often feels scarce in their everyday roles. In each class, they listened, they engaged, and they worked together to forge solutions. It was not just about professional development. It was about strengthening the community of people who understand this job in a way that no one else truly can.

There is something truly remarkable about conferences, and one of the things that amazes me most is how they become this living, breathing demonstration of all five love languages in full force.

Love Languages at work

You can see words of affirmation at work everywhere, from casual conversations in the hallways to structured classroom exercises. At GECC, I saw this beautifully displayed in Josephine Rios’ session, “Overcoming Mental Health Stigma,” where she divided attendees into small groups and had them role-play different scenarios. In each one, participants practiced offering words of encouragement, expressing pride in a struggling co-worker, or acknowledging someone’s hard work and resilience. These moments reminded me how much we all need to hear that we are valued, that our work matters, and that we are not alone in the struggles we face.

Quality time is built into every conference experience. We dedicate time to one another, not just in the sessions but during the spaces in between. We sit together over meals, share laughs in the hallways, and engage in deep, meaningful conversations long after the day’s events have wrapped up. We carve out these moments to listen, learn, and be fully present with one another. The conference is made up of countless special moments where we prioritize being together, and in those moments, the sense of connection is undeniable.

The love language of receiving gifts is ever-present. I come home with a bag full of free swag, but the items that mean the most to me are the small, heartfelt tokens of appreciation. I have received challenge coins from people who felt deeply connected to a session I taught, handwritten notes from those who wanted to express their gratitude, and gifts that were as thoughtful as they were unexpected. One of my most cherished possessions is a custom pen given to me by my dear friend, Gary Hill, at a conference. I still treasure my 911Bowler pen with all my heart because it was given with love and friendship in mind.

Conferences are filled with physical touch, often demonstrated through hugs that hold so much meaning. A hug is more than just a greeting; it is an act of comfort, support, and solidarity. A hug can disarm tension, de-escalate stress, or be the bridge that helps someone process emotions they have been holding in for too long. A hug says, “I see you. I care about you. You matter.” But beyond hugs, there are also other small but powerful gestures. A reassuring hand placed on a shoulder or a compassionate squeeze of someone’s hand serves to remind people they are not alone. These moments of physical connection can be just as healing as any conversation.

And then there are the acts of service. At conferences, people give of themselves in so many ways, no matter how small. They take the time to refill a colleague’s water bottle, bring someone a boxed lunch when they are too busy to grab one themselves, or simply ask, “What do you need right now to get through this?” These seemingly small acts are actually huge because they remind us that kindness and care should never be taken for granted. At its core, peer support is about showing up for each other in meaningful ways, and acts of service are a beautiful extension of that.

What we can do

At the end of the day, we are all in the same boat facing the same critical issues, dealing with the same shortages, and tackling the same overwhelming challenges. The work we do is not easy, so it’s important that we extend kindness to one another.

If peer support is intentional presence, then it must also be intentional communication, with love at the center of everything we say. Here is a thought then: What if we could capture that same feeling of renewal and rejuvenation we experience at conferences and bring it back to our communication centers? What if conferences did not have to feel like an escape from a toxic or unsupportive work culture, but rather an extension of the positive environment we cultivate every day? What if we carried those same love languages back to our centers and infused them into our daily interactions?

Imagine if we spoke to each other the way we do at conferences, offering praise, encouragement, and genuine support. Imagine if we prioritized time with one another, expressed appreciation, and extended small gestures of kindness that made a difference in someone’s day. What a workplace we would be creating for ourselves and each other!