The\u00a0IBA Annual Bar Conference 2017 is taking place in Sydney on the 8-13 October!<\/p>\n
So with that in mind here are 5 reasons why I think students should attend. \u00a0These are in no particular order:<\/p>\n
I am a massive law geek, and attending the conference was actually a bit of a challenge! I always find that when you go to events like this, seminars you like the sound of, are always on at the same time! \u00a0So I had to pick the\u00a0ones I really wanted to go to. \u00a0In an ideal world, they would record all of the seminars so you could catch the ones you didn’t get to attend!<\/p>\n
Oh my, the stuff you can learn at these events is ridiculous! From legal updates, legal news, new legislation, international law, marketing and more. \u00a0Plus there are loads of companies there with new products, books, resources (and tons of freebies!).<\/p>\n
My favourite seminar that I went to was on Virtual and Augmented Reality, and not only was it an interesting topic, the panel was amazing! There were legal representatives from all the big players in AR\/VR. Rachel from Google even brought lots of google cardboards with her, so I was fortunate enough to get 3 (and give 2 to my little sisters). \u00a0The discussions\u00a0on the subject were amazing, hearing about what is coming for the future, how they have to change legislation. \u00a0Warnings that are needed off the back of the Pokemon situation (people jumping off buses, night time, trespassing) etc. \u00a0It was fascinating!<\/p>\n
Now you all know how much I hate the word networking, and in this post I have used it twice (sorry!).<\/p>\n
There are so many opportunities to meet people during the day at the IBA Annual Conference. \u00a0From walking around the exhibition areas, to attending talks and seminars. \u00a0I found everyone to be very welcoming an social and even managed to make friends with some British lawyers in the lobby of the hotel on the first day.<\/p>\n
I will be perfectly honest when I say that I did not expect to go to many of the parties and drinks receptions, despite hearing how amazing some of them were. \u00a0I ended up going out every night to more than one party, and had a great time! Some of the drinks receptions are in amazing venues, with stunning views. \u00a0Lawyers like to have a lot of fun, so they are well worth attending! \u00a0Plus you never know who you might meet! I was fortunate enough to spend an entire party with one of my favourite chambers in London, 7 Bedford Row<\/a>.<\/p>\n Attending events like these is a great way to enhance or develop your skill set. If you aren’t so confident you can feel a little out of your comfort zone. \u00a0However, you need to make the most of these types of events, so fake it, ’til you make it, confidence wise. \u00a0Speak to people if they speak to you, or go and sit in a row with someone else already there. \u00a0They are bound to say hi! Go and chat to people in the exhibition! Get on twitter and see who is tweeting with the #IBASydney hashtag and start chatting to people and engaging with them. Make the most of the opportunities whilst you are there.<\/p>\nEnhancing Skills\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n