Attending a conference can be a transformative experience, whether you're looking to advance your career, expand your knowledge, or connect with others in your field. Conferences bring together professionals from various backgrounds, offering a unique opportunity for networking, learning, and personal growth.

None of this applies to me, and yet, here I am at another PHP Conference for the third year in a row (fourth if you count WavePHP in 2018). For me, my primary reason for attending is to support my husband and PHPArch. Hello, I'm Bek Johnson, or as many of you know me, Eric's "Current Wife" 🤣. As I said, I'm not in the industry by any means, but I still find value in attending. 

First, it's time away with my husband. We typically tack on a few extra days before and/or after Tek to enjoy the local sites and bites. Yes, we're empty nesters, but it's so easy to let the day-to-day sleep/work/eat drudgery get in the way of connecting with your partner. So, this little break away from the endless honey-do list is a chance to relax and focus on each other.

Second, I get to actively participate in and support PHPArch. It's always been Eric's dream to be self-employed and have a company that can support a team. Helping with setup, registration, and other odds and ends is just another way to show Eric how much I appreciate all of his hard work in making his dream a reality. 

Third, I get to interact with the community. Instead of just hearing about AWoods, Cori, Sara Goleman, and TJ Miller, to name just a few, I get to meet them and talk with them on a more personal level. I really do enjoy hanging out in registration and putting faces to all those names. 

So, while Tek is about networking and coding and everything else that sails miles over my head, that's not all it is. Bring your spouse and see for yourself, the more the merrier!