Staying current in a rapidly changing and developing field, while also staying on top of projects, is a challenge that never seems to go away. Attending training conferences can help you build new skills, expand your network, and recharge your creative juices. So, what are you waiting for? Join us at ODSC West 2021, either in-person or, if you are unable or unready to travel, virtually.

Need help convincing your manager that it’s in the company’s best interest to send you to ODSC? Here are 10 reasons why the ODSC West 2021 Hybrid Conference November 16th – 18th is a worthwhile investment of your time.

Reason # 10 – Content

No other conference offers both the breadth and depth of an ODSC event. The proof is in the numbers. We are the number-one applied data science conference in terms of sessions with over 300 hours of content, 80 hands-on training sessions and expert-led workshops, and dozens of general sessions.

Reason # 9 – Hands-on Applied Training

As an applied data science conference, we focus on practical data science that can be utilized immediately. Our expert speakers and instructors are drawn from across industries and know what it takes to make machine learning and deep learning work. Approximately 50% of our content is hands-on training in either full-day, half-day, or 2-hour sessions. Thus, you can return to the job ready to put your newfound skills to work after you attend ODSC West 2021. Currently, confirmed training sessions and workshops include

  • GANs: Theory and Practice, Image Synthesis With GANs Using TensorFlow
  • MLOps… From Model to Production
  • Tuning Hyperparameters with Reproducible Experiments
  • Deep Dive into Reinforcement Learning with PPO using TF-Agents & TensorFlow 2.0

Reason # 8 – Best of the Best

Our instructors are some of the leading data science and AI experts in the world. Not only are they the best and brightest, but they also work at some of the top companies at the forefront of the AI revolution. You’ll learn from speakers like Kai-Wei Chang, PhD, Director at UCLA NLP and Assistant Professor at UCLS CS, Sarah Aerni, PhD, Director Of Data Science And Engineering at Salesforce, Charles Givre, Co-founder of Stealth Startup, GTK Cyber, Adjunct Professor at University of Maryland, Apache Drill Project Management Committee Chair, and many more to come when you attend ODSC West 2021.

Reason # 7 – Demo Hall

Companies need to constantly stay abreast of developments in the market. Much of data science is moving to the cloud and advanced machine learning workflow is a must-have. Teams and companies also need to make purchasing and build vs buy decisions. The Virtual AI Expo hall at ODSC West 2021 is where you can learn about the latest products and features from leading providers like Intel, Microsoft Azure, neo4j, and many more. Hear directly from the providers and attend our demo theater sessions for more in-depth presentations. Return to work armed with insights to make build vs buy and purchasing decisions.

Reason # 6 – The Latest Trends and Topics

Transformers, deep generative learning, and decision analytics were some of the breakout topics of 2021. Our sessions cover many of these key topics as well as topics such as machine learning workflow, machine learning for cybersecurity, explainable AI, recommendation systems, graph networks, unstructured text, self-supervised and semi-supervised learning, and reinforcement learning. You’ll return to work well-versed in the latest data science topics to help keep your team ahead of the rest.

Reason # 5 – The Connections

Like many fields, data science is a community. The collaborative effort that goes into building open source platforms and the sharing of ideas is a large part of that. Exchanging insights and connecting with people who have a shared passion is always rewarding. Companies are also embracing this collaborative trend. At ODSC West, you’ll make connections through our networking opportunities. In-person, you’ll be able to attend Meet the Experts and Meet the Speakers sessions. During the virtual conference you can take advantage of our chat options, virtual networking lounge, and more, all in an effort to return to work with a stronger network of potential partners and collaborators that can help you and your company grow.

Reason # 4 – Return on Investment

Attending conferences and training can be a big budget item for any business. ODSC combines the best of both technical learning and community building. You’ll not only be inspired by our top data science expert keynotes, but also get the hands-on training you can readily apply at work. The best part is that we offer some of the most competitive pricing and widest range of content of any AI or data science conference. Businesses care about ROI, and this is an event that is an excellent investment for you and your company.

Reason # 3 – Value your Time

You and your company know that your time is valuable. Between the demands on your time at work, project deadlines, and a busy outside life, it’s a constant battle to carve out time to upskill. And, with the field changing so rapidly it’s hard to know what skills to upgrade and what to focus on. ODSC is accelerated learning where your time is maximized. You can get hands-on training that enables you to get current quickly and set up the foundation you need to continue learning throughout the year. After 2 to 3 intense days of sessions, you’ll return to the office ready to put new skills and knowledge to work immediately.

Reason #2 – Continuous Learning 

With immediate access to Ai+ Training (included with Bootcamp and VIP passes) and on-demand access to ODSC West Conference recordings post-conference, you’ll be able to continuously learn about core data science topics including machine learning, NLP, responsible AI, cybersecurity, and more. With access to these resources, it will be easier than ever to stay current with developments in the industry.  

Reason # 1 – Choose Virtual or In-Person

ODSC’s first hybrid conference, West 2021 gives you the option to attend either in-person or virtually. And like all the best decisions, there is no wrong answer. As an in-person attendee, you’ll have the opportunity to reconnect with friends and colleagues that you might not have seen in the past 2 years. You’ll also regain some of the spontaneity that makes in-person conferences so engaging and exciting. As a virtual attendee, you’ll have access to industry-leading, data science instruction from wherever and whenever you are, and won’t have to worry about travel and hotel expenses. Whichever you choose, you’ll leave the conference with new knowledge and skills. 

Hopefully, these reasons are enough to convince your manager to help you get to the ODSC West 2021 Conference this November 16th-18th! Find more information about how to convince your boss and seal the deal here. Be sure to tell them quickly, as our 50% discount ends soon! Register here.