Having returned from WOLCE after a very satisfying two days, I started thinking about how to best evaluate the experience - and from a purely 'networking' perspective. To begin with, we experimented with our Tweet-up which, while it was a small, but perfectly formed gathering, it proved really useful and insightful. It reminded me that events, such as this, are crucial to understanding the industry in which we work and how a simple ten-minute chat with someone can draw out all sorts of ideas. It has left me buzzing with inspiration and I think it had the same effect on many others. I also experienced my first taste of coaching - being coached, that is. I found it an invigorating, if not a little disconcerting process - not because the coach was poor but because it awakened in me issues that I didn't realise I had. But at the same time, I felt that I had been encouraged to have drawn my own conclusions, empowering me to do something about them. It has certainly made me think about the value - and power - of coaching. Other highlights was having my personality assessed by psychologist (I'm a reactionary extrovert, apparently) and having some illuminating discussions with old contacts I met. As for the 'material' I brought away with me, I found that the industry is alive and kicking despite the recession. That 'innovation' is the buzz word everyone is bandying about, and coaching is having something of a second-wind. Elearning has safely cemented it's future as a must-have training method - but now organisations have 'bought the solutions' they now need to ensure they work for them, and of course, understand how to assess and evaluate. All in all, WOLCE 2009 was a worthwhile industry event, I will look forward to seeing what they come up with next year.