Note: It has been a month since my last article. Those of you who know me would know that it was hard for me to be silent for such a length of time! But don’t worry, today’s issue is probably one of my longest yet, about an effort that is both hard to pull off and vital to your product’s success.

Few things have more power to build customer loyalty than holding a customer conference. Just as true, few things require as much preparation, on-site work, and expense. The customer conferences your company holds can be critical to the long term health of your product and your company.

The headaches, expense, and staff time required for a conference are guaranteed. But the payoff is not, and that’s why it’s so important to assess your product – and your organization’s – situation and goals and determine what your aim is for a customer conference, then make strategic and tactical decisions accordingly.

Product Managers can provide good input on customer needs and preferences, as well as what your company needs from its customer base, to ensure that important decisions are made to create a successful customer experience.

Read on below for ideas about holding a successful customer conference that enhances the reputation and success of your product.