All the buzz these days seems to be surrounding the IVAA Live Summit in Portland, May 3 – 6th. I’m excited too! I always love attending live events whenever I get the chance and they’re a good fit for me.

It’s definitely good for business but it also offers the opportunity to build our network of course, widen our knowledge with many of the seminars and workshops available, and even boosts our confidence when we really participate in all the event has to offer.

And, I’m with you. At these events, I sometimes want to stay in my hotel room in the solice of calm and silence because we work from home, we’re used to that. But it’s important that you push yourself out into the activities and ad hoc get togethers with others in order to really reap the benefits.

Believe it or not, I can be a little shy at times. Especially if I don’t know a lot of people in a group. I guess we’re all that way really, aren’t we? Well, I make it a point to jump out of my comfort zone and join in and I’ll tell you, I’ve made a lot of super friends and business partners and gained a ton of great ideas in doing so.

I know I’ve said it before but seriously folks, you should be attending at least two live events per year if you really want to grow your business: one in your own industry and one in your niche’s industry.

It’s early in the year. Have you budgeted to attend live events in 2011? What events do you plan to attend? Let me know in your comments!