I meet with a handful of industry friends every other month here in Grand Rapids for a happy hour. We share a cold beverage and chat about the industry — what’s new, exciting trends and where the workplace is headed (let me know if you are in West Michigan and want an invite). We met last Friday at our usual spot and started talking about research and learning, bemoaning the fact that much of this valuable and useful information is lost in an industry black hole. Very few people see it, much less engage with it.

At officeinsight magazine, we are trying to change that. We are actively working with nearly all the major design firms to give this research and learning a platform. Hopefully you’ve noticed these guest columns penned by some of the best and brightest thinkers in the industry, usually associated with a project they have worked on (we welcome manufacturers to submit their research as well).

They are among the most popular stories on our platform.

That led to a discussion with our little happy hour group. The industry is full of fantastic learning opportunities that we wish more people would take advantage of. This includes events, white papers and case studies, podcasts and webinars that are designed to help you. A lot of effort is put into these learning opportunities, but you need to take advantage of them. No one is going to force you to be better at what you do. Excellent opportunities to learn and grow are there.

Next week at this time, I’ll be in California for the annual BIFMA 360 Conference, which is designed for industry executives to hear from fantastic speakers on topics that are affecting the workplace. In April, we will be covering the INDEAL Champion Conference in Chicago, an excellent annual event that brings together Dealers from around the country to learn and connect with some of the best Brands in the industry. Of course, there’s NeoCon/Design Days in June. There are also a number of other segment-specific events as well, ranging from Hospitality Design in May to EDspaces in the fall.

Publications like officeinsight and viewpoint magazines and events aren’t the only way to connect with industry learning. BIFMA has a monthly learning series and CEUs. Manufacturers offer learning opportunities as well. For example, MillerKnoll has a monthly Design Perspectives series that is free to attend.

Many manufacturers and industry leaders also produce excellent podcasts. OFS is a leader in podcasting with its Imagine a Place podcasts, though they are not alone. Other industry leaders such as Amanda Schneider, Alexandra Tseffos, Cheryl Durst, Rex Miller and Sid Meadows also create podcasts that educate and entertain.

I encourage you to take advantage of all the learning and research that is available in our industry. I also promise that at officeinsight magazine, we are committed to bringing you the best of what the industry has to offer. But I can’t force you to learn — you have to be an active participant.