You Don't Have to Attend Every Conference

Chris Butera
May 18
6 min read

Audience in a conference room listens to a speaker on stage. People are seated in rows, facing a presenter near a whiteboard and screen. — Photo courtesy of Wix.

Conference FOMO and the Pressure to Attend Everything

As summertime creeps around and conference season goes full bore, you may have some FOMO — especially if you couldn't attend this year’s VO Atlanta conference (like me).

You may also be jonesing to get out and meet with fellow voice actors to talk shop and learn, but are having difficulty choosing where to go. This is an isolating industry, but this is also not the medical field. We’re not learning about the best ways to perform brain surgery (heck, we’re not even learning about breakthroughs in colonoscopies).

Voice over conferences are all about voice over industry trends, voice acting tips, audition advice, and networking with your peers, agents, casting directors, and other industry professionals. Trends change, most advice is evergreen and many of the same faces will be at the next one.

Fun fact: Many speakers will give the same talks at multiple conferences, as well as on podcasts and webinars, so you'll have a few chances and possibly more than a few ways to see them do their thing. This applies to every industry.

By not attending this year’s VO Atlanta, did we miss out on some good times and information? Yes. Is this the end of the world? No.

While you may feel like you need to go to every voice over conference or voice over event, you don’t. Here’s why.

Women smiling and chatting indoors, checking phones. Bright, natural light illuminates the room, creating a friendly atmosphere. — Photo courtesy of Wix.

The Pros and Cons of Voice Over Conferences

You might be browsing social media platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, BlueSky, TikTok, Threads, and (maybe) Facebook and X, and running into conferences and voice over events. After being bombarded with conference after conference, you might feel like you should go to all of them.

Voice over conferences and events are amazing for the following reasons:

You learn a ton of valuable information from industry professionals such as major voice actors, sound engineers, casting directors, and agents.
You’ll meet voice actors at all levels who can and will help you out with whatever you’re struggling with in the day-to-day of running your voice over business,
You can also link up with said casting directors and agents, which could potentially help you obtain future voice over work.
As a bonus, you leave the house and might get to visit a new state or country.

These are wonderful reasons to go to voice over conferences and events. That being said, you don’t have to go to all of them despite what your impulses are telling you (at best, pick one or two per year).

While there are many benefits to attending as many conferences and voice over events as possible, these things cost money. So do food, travel and lodging, and any other excursions you might want to check out. This adds up quickly for one event or conference, let alone several.

If you don’t have the funds, going to every voice over conference or event might not be the best idea. That being said, many conferences offer recordings of the event’s panels for you to watch and listen to at your leisure long after the conference has concluded.

Time is another reason why you shouldn’t go to every voice conference or event. You might have family or other commitments, and — especially if you’re new to voice over — you might have a regular 9-5 job (I do). You may have a scheduling conflict with the dates a conference or event is running that prevents you from attending.

People are busy. Life gets in the way. It happens. Don’t worry about it.

See if the event organizer offer a recorded option, or look at other conferences or events happening down the road that you can check out.

You also might be looking at an opportunity cost. There are a million other things that could be going on at the same time as that voice over conference or event you want to attend. Consider what makes the most sense at this point in your life.

Here are some things to think about when it comes to opportunities that could fall by the wayside:

What are you sacrificing to attend every voice over event or conference?
Could you be taking an acting class, working with a voice over coach, or auditioning for voice over jobs instead?
Are there any life events or time with friends or family that you'll miss?
Is there another trip being planned that you might not have another chance to go on soon?
How much voice over work could you stand to potentially lose by attending all these industry events and conferences?

Another item to consider is implementation. Suppose your budget, schedule, and life align. You can and do attend everything. You’ve harvested a plethora of information at these conferences and events, and have spent a good chunk of time and change in the process. However, what are you going to do with this information?

Here are some things to think about after the event/conference:

Are you going to keep in touch with your new network of contacts?
Will you use the new tools you’ve been given, or are you going to forget about it or let it sit there?
How many of these things can you implement; meaning do you have the time, money, resources, or willpower to make this happen?
How much of this newfound information is even relevant to you and your business?

A man stands smiling with papers, surrounded by seated people clapping in a dimly lit room with curtains. Mood is supportive and positive. — Photo courtesy of Wix.

Voice Over Conference Alternatives

Just because you’re not attending voice over conferences, doesn’t mean you can’t network or learn. There are plenty of other things you can do that will save you money, teach you something new, and help you meet people. Some conference alternatives include:

Online networking groups: You can lurk on social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn or scour the internet.

Once you join an online networking group, you’ll be able to develop a community with other voice actors and voice over industry professionals. Poke around, pick some brains, and ask questions. You might find some voice actors near you that you can hang out with.
Attending local networking/industry events: Some of these events might happen through one of the online networking groups mentioned above. Others may require that you buy a ticket through sites like Eventbrite.

These can be fantastic mini-conferences in your area that are relatively cheap, sometimes free. You’ll make new connections, learn a ton of valuable information, and sleep in your bed when it’s over. Everybody wins.
Checking out webinars and virtual meetups: Speaking of your bed, you can attend webinars and virtual meetups from there if you like.

Webinars and virtual meetups are a nice way to pack mini-conferences and networking events into your day without traveling. Just put on a nice shirt to look professional (insert “please wear pants” joke here).

Webinars sometimes feature the same conference speakers talking about the same subjects, but the best part about webinars is that, unlike most conference panels, they can be replayed and watched on demand. The flexibility webinars give allows you to listen in and absorb information while multitasking.
Listening to voice over podcasts: Similar to webinars, you’ll find a ton of info to check out whenever you want. They’re free and are either hosted by or feature a lot of the speakers you’d like to see at the conferences.

Depending on how recent the episode is, they might even be talking about the same subject they’re presenting at the event.
Working with a voice over coach: As a voice actor, you need to hone your craft. Sometimes you need a refresher, or maybe you want to pick up a new skill. It could also be time to go after that new voice over genre.

That said, training is training, and you’ve got to keep at it. For help with picking a voice over coach that’s right for you, check out this guide.
Taking an acting class: As above, so below. Just like your voice, you need to train your body and soul. Your acting skills need to be sharpened to keep you at your best. Take a class to help with auditions, tighten up your acting technique, or shake off some rust.

Close-up of a black microphone in front of blurred computer screens with audio waveforms. Blue background creates a professional studio vibe. — Photo courtesy of Wix.

Your Voice Over Career, Your Calendar

Conferences are amazing, and if you can afford to attend some, please do. They will help you expand your network and grow your business . They can even help turn some contacts into lifelong friends. You'll also get to explore some cool new places you wouldn’t have gone to otherwise.

That being said, they are both expensive and a time and scheduling commitment. You do not have to go to a conference every year, let alone attend every conference you see.

If you’re experiencing conference FOMO, remember that there are lots of alternatives to conferences that will help you on your journey. They may not provide the same experience, but they’ll assist you nonetheless. Do what’s best for you.

If you’re still itching to go to a conference or three, be sure to put together a plan and a budget and have a great time. In the next article, I'll be detailing exactly how you can choose the best voice over conference based on several factors. Stay tuned!

Looking for a professional voice actor who's always training? Get in touch now!