Prior to attending my first Hearing Loss Association of American National Convention, I had never attended a non-professional convention. I really wasn’t sure what the experience was going to be like. As I was preparing for my 2nd attendance at this event, I found myself comparing the vibe to packing up for summer camp.

Now, to be fair, I was actively helping my eldest child prep for summer camp as I was getting ready for HLAA. So, there is a reason why this comparison occurred to me. Nonetheless, the more I contemplated the similarities, the more I could see how alike the experiences really are.

Just like prepping for summer camp, heading to the HLAA national convention is filled with lots of excitement over the known and unknown upcoming experience. I did not know my roommate until just before, as my local chapter helped me find someone to cost share the hotel with. I also knew I would meet other amazing people in the hearing loss community, but I wasn’t sure who would be attending this year or who I would be fortunate enough to connect with. I knew I would have a great time and learn a lot, but I was excited to discover what this year’s convention had in store for me.

There is also just so much fun! The convention itself had an itinerary packed with enjoyable moments like a Welcome Back Bash, the Indianapolis Walk 4 Hearing, and a closing baseball game. Besides the scheduled fun, there are lots of invites to have meals and chat, opportunities to network at the hotel bar, or staying up late chatting in a friend’s room. I know my child had an absolute blast at camp, but I would argue my experience at HLAA rivaled those fun levels.

No matter the theme or style of the summer camp, you always learn so much. Just the act of going somewhere different and trying new things leads to growth. This is also extremely true of HLAA convention. I find I come away with a head stuffed with knowledge. I learned so much from the workshops and amazing presentations.  I also gained a lot of knowledge from the expo and trying out new technology in the hearing loss world. But I think I learn just as much from networking with others with hearing loss and hearing their stories, successes, and struggles.

Just like summer camp, at the end, I was absolutely exhausted. All those big days of listening and focusing on both lectures and conversations were tiring. By the time I got home, I was very ready for some quiet and rest. While my schedule did not allow for 12 hours of sleep to catch up after the fun of HLAA, unlike my child’s return from camp, I sure needed some down time.

And now, after our fun experiences, my child and I both reminisce about the great time we had and dream about being able to go again next year. We stay in contact with some of the wonderful individuals we got to know during the events. We were very fortunate to be able to take advantage of these amazing opportunities. We look forward to other fun and exciting events that may come. There is always more to learn and new wonderful people to connect with. Here’s hoping next summer is just as amazing!