With benefits that are far-reaching and long-lasting, networking is an effective way to advance your career. If you’re looking for financial networking events to make new connections, annual conferences, such as AFP 2023, are a great place to start.

“I’m looking forward to connecting in person again. Networking is another added value of attending the conference,” said Karina Inga-Kamienski, CTP, Senior Director, Capital Markets, Gilead Sciences, Inc.

The value of networking for treasury and finance professionals

Imagine having a large group of people who share your professional interests: That’s your professional network. Growing your professional network means that when you need to know about specialty X, there’s someone in your network that you can call on.

Networking means potential. It means finding a potential mentor. It means the potential of creating an “inner circle” of people at your level who can support each other through the career journey.

Expanding your network means helping others get an “in” to your company/organization — and vice versa. It means knowing about job openings at your dream organization before others do, or learning about pathways to your dream job that you never knew existed.

“The part I get most excited about is connecting with each of you [finance peers], and learning more about the roles you play in your organizations, comparing and contrasting that so I can ultimately glean best practices for my organization,” said Camille King, FPAC, CTP, Principal Team Leader, Financial Solutions, Chick-fil-A.

It also means gaining information and unique insights into challenges you face, learning about new systems or tools you never knew existed, or finding a connection to your work that you didn’t see before. Networking is about gaining information, knowledge, insight and resources you can’t find by asking Google.

And it’s about relationships. Networking gives you the opportunity to meet cool people and make new friends, too — something we can never have too many of.

The bonus of networking at a conference

You know the benefits of networking, but do you know the benefits of networking at a conference? For one thing, you can get in a year’s worth of networking in just three days!

“You get to meet a bunch of great people who have common interests and concerns,” said Linda Dixon, CTP, CPA, CRM, Director of Treasury, Multimatic Inc.

It also takes so much of the awkwardness out of networking:

• You always have something to talk about: the conference! Did you enjoy today’s keynote speaker? Which session are you looking forward to most? Where are you coming in from?
• By virtue of being at a conference, you’re announcing that you’re open to meeting new people, and likewise, others are more likely to be open to meeting you.
• If you need to take a breather, head to the hotel restaurant or bar. It will be filled with people from the conference. You may find yourself naturally having a conversation with someone that becomes a new contact.

Remember, you have something to offer that no one else does: You! No matter where you are in your career, your experience and perspective are of value.

Ready to expand your treasury and finance network? Learn more about the networking events at AFP 2023.