I still remember the first time I walked into the PBA Next Conference back in 2018—the energy was absolutely electric. As someone who's attended multiple industry events across different states, I can confidently say this conference stands out for its unique blend of practical insights and forward-thinking discussions. This year's event in Northport promises to be particularly special, especially with Mark Sangco taking on a significant role in the programming. Having followed Mark's work in the industry for years, I'm genuinely excited to see how his perspective will shape this year's conversations.
The dates are locked in for October 15-17, 2024, at the Northport Convention Center, and if previous years are any indication, we're looking at approximately 1,200 attendees from across the professional services sector. What makes this conference different from others I've experienced is how they've structured the three days—each morning begins with what they're calling "Strategy Sessions" where we dive deep into case studies before breaking into smaller, more interactive workshops. I particularly appreciate this approach because it moves beyond the typical lecture format and creates space for genuine networking and problem-solving. Last year's conference introduced me to several contacts who've since become regular collaborators on projects.
Mark Sangco's involvement this year is particularly noteworthy. From what I've gathered through industry connections, he's been working closely with the programming committee to ensure the speaker lineup addresses the most pressing challenges facing our industry right now. Having seen Mark present at other events, I can attest to his ability to make complex topics accessible without oversimplifying them. His session on digital transformation in professional services is one I'm personally circling on my agenda—it's scheduled for Day 2 at 2:00 PM in the Grand Ballroom. Based on his previous talks, I'm expecting some concrete data points around implementation success rates, likely in the 68-72% range for organizations that follow structured adoption frameworks.
Registration details have been streamlined this year, which I'm thrilled about because the previous multi-step process was frankly cumbersome. Early bird pricing at $795 runs through August 31st, then increases to $995—a significant saving that makes attending more accessible for smaller firms and independent consultants. What's interesting is that they've introduced tiered pricing based on organization size, with discounts of up to 25% for teams registering three or more attendees. This smart move acknowledges the budget constraints many of us are navigating while encouraging organizational learning. From my perspective, this pricing strategy demonstrates the conference organizers truly understand their audience's needs.
The speaker lineup beyond Mark Sangco looks equally impressive, featuring about 35 industry leaders across various specialties. I'm particularly looking forward to hearing from Sarah Jenkins, whose work on client retention strategies I've been following closely. Her research suggests that firms implementing her framework see client retention improvements of approximately 42% within the first year—numbers that are hard to ignore. Another session I've got my eye on is "The Future of Remote Team Management" by Alex Rodriguez, especially since my own team has transitioned to a hybrid model with mixed results. These practical, immediately applicable sessions are what separate PBA Next from other conferences that tend to be more theoretical.
What many don't realize until they attend is how much value exists in the informal networking opportunities. The evening receptions on Days 1 and 2 have consistently been where I've made my most valuable connections. Last year, I spent nearly two hours discussing implementation challenges with a peer from a different state, and that conversation directly influenced how we rolled out a new service offering at my firm. The conference organizers have intentionally designed these social components to facilitate exactly these kinds of exchanges, with carefully curated seating arrangements and conversation starters that move beyond superficial networking.
Registration is straightforward through their website, but I'd recommend acting quickly—last year's early bird slots sold out in under three weeks, and I suspect with the buzz around this year's programming, it might happen even faster. The registration process takes about 15 minutes if you have your payment and basic information ready. One pro tip from my experience: don't just register for the main sessions—make sure to reserve your spots in the smaller workshops immediately, as these fill up incredibly fast. Last year, I waited too long and missed the AI implementation roundtable I was most excited about.
Having attended numerous professional conferences over my career, I've developed a pretty good sense for which ones deliver real value versus those that simply repackage common knowledge. PBA Next consistently falls into the former category, and this year's iteration in Northport appears to be their most thoughtfully constructed program yet. Between Mark Sangco's influence on the content, the practical focus of the sessions, and the intentional networking opportunities, this is one of those rare events that can genuinely impact how you approach your work. I've already blocked my calendar and registered—perhaps I'll see some of you there for what promises to be three days of meaningful learning and connection.
