There are many benefits to attending an International AIDS Conference but also many costs in terms of money, energy and focus. It is important to do a proper cost-benefit assessment before you decide to go or send some one from your organization or community.

Some benefits to consider in making your decision about attending:
Professional Development
-To learn new things about your issue or area of expertise
-To learn new things generally about HIV/AIDS
Organizational Development
-To showcase your work
-To meet with existing or potential donors or partners
-To network and collaborate with others working in your area
-To advocate for your issue
Personal Development
-To socialize with colleagues you may only see at international conferences
-To meet new people
-To get to travel and see new things
-To get re-energized about your work

Some costs to consider in making your decision about attending:
-With all the necessary planning, materials and participation it can distract you, and your organization, from your core work
-Even with a scholarship, it can cost a lot of money
-It can be disappointing if you don’t succeed in learning, networking or have the advocacy impact you hoped for
-With the internet, it is possible to keep up to date, learn new things and network with colleagues without ever leaving your office
-Large conferences can be exhausting, lonely and alienating

If you do plan to attend, be very strategic about what you will see and do at the conference. See other pages in this section like Planning Your Schedule, Pacing Yourself and Taking and Sharing Information.
 
If you decide not to go, know there are many ways to make use of the conference while staying at home and work. See What if You Cannot Attend. If another person from your organization or community does attend, strategize with them about how to make best use of the conference for the organization and ensure they give a talk on what they learned at conference when they get back home.