Why Attend ODSC Europe as a Group

In the nature of open-source data science, we often see individuals attending ODSC conferences in groups, either as friends with similar interests or as a unit from the same organization. These groups will attend for a variety of reasons, such as wanting to work towards a shared goal, to promote team-building, etc. Even as ODSC events are moving to a virtual format for the remainder of 2020, there are still plenty of reasons why attending ODSC Europe as a group might be beneficial for you and your company.

[Related article: The Second Round of ODSC Europe 2020 Speakers]

1. Working towards a common goal

The main reason we hear as to why people attend in groups is to ensure that the entire team is on the same page regarding goals and objectives. For example, a team may want to implement more automation in a department in their organization, and thus it would be a good idea for everyone to have the same current knowledge on the primary tools that they’d be using, such as frameworks, libraries, and so on. 

In a similar vein, companies may opt to send entry-level employees as a group so that they’re all upskilled in the same manner in an effort to have them catch up to the more senior data scientists in the organization. 

2. Maximize learning

Study groups in school tended to work well for a reason – brainstorming, seeking clarification from teammates, and strategizing works wonders, and conferences are no exception. There are a lot of intense, technical topics discussed at ODSC events, so it’s nice to have a few friends with you to help clarify some topics on-the-spot should you have difficulty. Plus, if you need to step away for a few minutes, then you can quickly get caught up with help from a colleague.

3. Content variety

In a parallel approach, instead of taking the same track, you could also all take different tracks in an effort to learn the largest variety of content possible. This way, you can tackle all facets of data science such as different tools, disciplines, and so on. Following the event, you can report back to your team and get everyone else up to speed with the new skills you gained in your experience.

4. Team-building & Networking

ODSC events are designed to be fun and collaborative, making it an ideal conference to build comradery with your coworkers. You can take this time to learn from each other, discover each other’s skills, help improve teammates’ weaknesses, and create better synergy across the board.

In addition to strengthening your internal bonds, you can also build off each other to network with other companies. Even in our virtual lounge, people gather to talk about data science, exchange ideas, and share exciting research they’ve come across.

[Related article: Kickstart Your Data Science Career With the ODSC Europe Virtual Bootcamp]

5. Save money

By registering for ODSC Europe as a group, you can save quite a bit on your tickets. As a group, you’ll be able to experience everything together and bring your company the best results possible, all while improving on your individual skills and goals for the future. Go here to learn more about group tickets, including discounts!