--- title: Conference Attendance as a Means of Professional Development description: Conferences give employees opportunities for professional growth, relevance, and industry participation - which is why Electrum encourages attendance. image: https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/64ccc4878941f0dcff388eff_Conference%20Blog%20Image-Nov-21-2023-06-47-20-7439-AM.jpg --- [![Electrum](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Electrum_October2023/images/header-logo.png?width=500&height=150&name=header-logo.png "Electrum")](https://www.electrum.co.za/) ![Back Button](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Electrum_October2023/images/back.svg) Back ![Close Hamburger](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Electrum_October2023/images/close.svg) - [Home](https://www.electrum.co.za/) - Schemes - Schemes - Clearing House Payments - [PayShap](https://www.electrum.co.za/schemes/payshap) - [Real-Time Clearing](https://www.electrum.co.za/schemes/real-time-clearing) - 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[Account Verification Services](https://www.electrum.co.za/schemes/account-verification-services) - Alternative Payment Methods - [Cash Vouchers](https://www.electrum.co.za/payments/cash-vouchers) - Value-Added Services - [Prepaid Airtime and Data](https://www.electrum.co.za/digital-goods-and-services/prepaid-airtime-and-data) - [Prepaid Electricity](https://www.electrum.co.za/digital-goods-and-services/prepaid-electricity) - [Bill Payments](https://www.electrum.co.za/digital-goods-and-services/bill-payments) - [LOTTO](https://www.electrum.co.za/digital-goods-and-services/lotto) - [Betting](https://www.electrum.co.za/digital-goods-and-services/betting) - [Travel and Event Ticketing](https://www.electrum.co.za/digital-goods-and-services/travel-and-event-ticketing) - [Digital Vouchers](https://www.electrum.co.za/digital-goods-and-services/digital-vouchers) - Solutions - [Clearing House Payments Modernisation](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/clearing-house-payments-modernisation-for-existing-banks) - [Turnkey Clearing House Payments](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/turnkey-clearing-house-payments-for-new-banks) - [Enterprise Payments Channel](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/enterprise-payments-channel) - [PayShap-Ready QR Code Issuing](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/payshap-ready-qr-code-issuing) - [PayShap for Retailers](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/payshap-for-retailers) - [Cash Voucher Issuing and Distribution for Banks](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/cash-voucher-issuing-and-distribution-for-banks) - [Cash Voucher Retail Expansion for Banks](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/cash-voucher-retail-expansion-for-banks) - [Retail Cash-In and Cash-Out Expansion](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/retail-cash-in-and-cash-out-expansion) - [High Volume POS-Integrated VAS Services](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/high-volume-pos-integrated-vas-services) - [Expanded VAS For High-Growth Digital Channels](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/expanded-vas-for-high-growth-digital-channels) - [Developers](https://api.electrum.io/) - Resources - Documentation - [Implementation Guides](https://www.electrum.co.za/documentation/product-guides) - [Solution Updates](https://www.electrum.co.za/solution-updates) - News - [Blog](https://blog.electrum.co.za/?__hstc=17958374.bff00b489d6fac1f58737d8799a2a91d.1721396613638.1724837978417.1724842684665.23&__hssc=17958374.47.1724842684665&__hsfp=3812773586) - [Press Releases](https://www.electrum.co.za/press-releases) - Insights - [Reports, whitepapers & flyers](https://www.electrum.co.za/insights) - Careers - [Jobs & Opportunities](https://www.electrum.co.za/careers) - [Interview Process](https://www.electrum.co.za/careers/interview-process) - [Trust](https://trust.electrumsoftware.com/) [![Contact](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/142132879/7f102097-b88c-49fd-b727-90c8e1009d5a.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/142132879/7f102097-b88c-49fd-b727-90c8e1009d5a) ![Hamburger](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Electrum_October2023/images/hamburger.svg) [Opinion](https://blog.electrum.co.za/tag/opinion) [Life at Electrum](https://blog.electrum.co.za/tag/life-at-electrum) # Conference Attendance as a Means of Professional Development August 4, 2023 ![Electrum Software](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/favicon.png) Electrum Software ![Post Header](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Electrum_October2023/images/banner-bg.svg) ![Conference Attendance as a Means of Professional Development](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/64ccc4878941f0dcff388eff_Conference%20Blog%20Image-Nov-21-2023-06-47-20-7439-AM.jpg) At Electrum, we encourage and support our team to attend role- and industry-specific conferences, as a way to contribute to individual growth and professional development. The financial services industry is ever evolving and keeping abreast of its rapid technological advancements and regulatory changes is critical to ensuring our technology is on point. In addition, the opportunity to network with industry peers and leaders helps add to personal learning opportunities. ## Why Electrum backs conference attendance It’s easy to get caught up in the everyday tasks associated with your role at work and, while this is part of the process of mastering your job, it comes with the risk of creating tunnel vision. We avoid tunnel vision because it: - Limits different perspectives; - Stifles creativity and innovation; and - Slows down growth. We encourage employees across all professional levels to attend conferences that they can attain value from. They can range from small niche events with room for direct dialogue to industry-wide events, attended by stakeholders from our community, and super conferences that include industry leaders from all over the world. We’ve identified three key benefits employees can get from going to conferences. ## Stand-out benefits of attending conferences ### 1. Building reputation Attending conferences presents the opportunity to develop a unique professional voice and [reputation capital](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/02/06/trust-me-if-you-can-why-reputation-capital-is-a-must-for-fintech-startups-in-this-economic-downturn/?sh=1fde1a04299d). Conference delegates become accustomed to engaging with industry leaders, allowing network growth through personalised connections. Networking in this way enables conference attendees to build a positive reputation. Over time, it lends credibility to the individual’s voice, which they can then leverage while establishing business relationships with potential customers.‍ ### 2. Keeping a finger on the industry’s pulse How do you stay a few steps ahead in a dynamic industry like fintech? You monitor trends (and set new ones). Conference sessions can provide forecasts on industry trends and opportunities to learn from peers and experts. They help delegates to gain valuable information and a competitive edge as professionals. ### ‍3. Collective problem solving As the saying goes, teamwork makes the dream work. Some industry problems require collaboration, even between competing organisations, to streamline the flow of business in a sustainable way. By attending conferences, employees gain exposure to opportunities for collaboration, industry problem-solving panels, participating in forums, and joining or forming decision-making committees. ## Let’s hear from Electrolites who have attended recent conferences: ![Feedback from Electrum employees after attending industry conferences](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/64ccc5851f58b6b040cc0479_Conference%20Blog_Quotes-2.png) The learnings shared above demonstrate how conferences nourish collaboration, continuous learning, and innovation. An essential part of [life at Electrum](https://www.electrum.co.za/categories/life-at-electrum) is offering employees the support they need when they identify and motivate for professional development opportunities they could benefit from. We’re always ready to support activities that help individuals in our team to expand their horizons. *Looking for a workplace that is willing to invest in your personal and professional progression?* [*Visit our Careers page*](https://www.electrum.co.za/careers#positions) *to apply for an open role.* ![Electrum Software](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/favicon.png) Electrum Software Electrum is the next-generation payments software company, powering payments for banks and retailers. Since 2012, we have established ourselves as a respected software partner through our deep expertise and track record in delivering trusted cloud-native payments solutions. [More posts by  Electrum Software](https://blog.electrum.co.za/author/electrum-software) Recent Blog Posts ![POPIA and GDPR: Decoding the New Privacy Regulations](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/6257bbeb5f685537be3b0d4f_privacy-popia-header-4.jpeg) ### POPIA and GDPR: Decoding the New Privacy Regulations ![Be Confident in Your Security with Electrum's AWS Certification](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/AWS_blog_25.png) ### Be Confident in Your Security with Electrum's AWS Certification ![From Software Development Intern to Tech Lead at Electrum](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/6257bba1e1b46bcdf4fb0aea_IMG_3379-edit-Nov-21-2023-06-44-38-6799-AM.jpeg) ### From Software Development Intern to Tech Lead at Electrum # Electrum Newsletter Quarterly insights and news to help you keep up with the latest changes in the payments landscape [![Electrum](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/Electrum_October2023/Images/footer-logo.png?width=500&height=150&name=footer-logo.png "Electrum")](https://www.electrum.co.za/) ###### Company - 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[Travel and Event Ticketing](https://www.electrum.co.za/digital-goods-and-services/travel-and-event-ticketing) - [Digital Vouchers](https://www.electrum.co.za/digital-goods-and-services/digital-vouchers) - [Cash Vouchers](https://www.electrum.co.za/payments/cash-vouchers) ###### Solutions - [Clearing House Payments Modernisation](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/clearing-house-payments-modernisation-for-existing-banks) - [Turnkey Clearing House Payments](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/turnkey-clearing-house-payments-for-new-banks) - [Enterprise Payments Channel](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/enterprise-payments-channel) - [PayShap-Ready QR Code Issuing](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/payshap-ready-qr-code-issuing) - [PayShap for Retailers](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/payshap-for-retailers) - [Cash Voucher Issuing and Distribution for Banks](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/cash-voucher-issuing-and-distribution-for-banks) - [Cash Voucher Retail Expansion for Banks](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/cash-voucher-retail-expansion-for-banks) - [Retail Cash-In and Cash-Out Expansion](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/retail-cash-in-and-cash-out-expansion) - [High Volume POS-Integrated VAS Services](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/high-volume-pos-integrated-vas-services) - [Expanded VAS For High-Growth Digital Channels](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/expanded-vas-for-high-growth-digital-channels) ###### Resources - [Implementation Guides](https://www.electrum.co.za/documentation/product-guides) - [Solution Updates](https://www.electrum.co.za/solution-updates) - [Reports, whitepapers & flyers](https://www.electrum.co.za/insights) - [Blog](https://www.electrum.co.za/blog) - [Developer Portal](https://api.electrum.io/) ###### Contact us - [Electrum Payments,Building 3, Podium Level, Riverlands Mall51 Gogosoa StreetObservatoryCape Town 7925, South Africa](https://g.page/ElectrumPayments?share) - [hello@electrum.co.za](mailto:hello@electrum.co.za) - [+27 21 448 6422 (office)](tel:+27214486422) - [+27 21 447 1227 (support)](tel:+27214471227) © 2026 Electrum Payments - 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