In my nearly ten years of professional experience, I’ve participated in a lot of training: in-person, live webinars, pre-recorded presentations, basic PowerPoints, etc. Nothing beats in-person training, but the cost can often be prohibitive for smaller to mid-sized companies with little or no dedicated budget. The question isn’t whether a particular seminar is cheap or expensive, it’s whether attendees return with enough knowledge, engagement, and professional growth to justify the investment. This spring, I attended the Bussmann Overcurrent 2026 Consultant Seminar in Ellisville, Missouri, and it provided a great example of what makes an in-person training program worthwhile.
This was my first time attending a seminar at this location, but several things soon became apparent:
The speakers possessed an impressive breadth of knowledge on the topics they were discussing
Animated discussion played out during each presentation and not just because of the participation coins handed out for use at their claw machine game!
The live demonstrations of the arc flash concepts (aka well-controlled and well-contained explosions) were fantastic, and it felt like a privilege to witness.
From a technical standpoint, seeing the technology involved to generate the arc flash events offered great insight into a topic I previously considered myself well-versed in.
The content of the presentations was well-considered, with timely breaks that kept us engaged and eager for more.
A well-stocked pantry of snacks, coffee, and smooth transitions into mealtimes kept spirits high.
The expansive demonstration area felt like a playground for adults, with equipment displayed in a variety of real-world applications that created an immersive experience.
There’s often little opportunity in the field to inspect the equipment safely, and never are they in such pristine condition.
Good in-person training should offer more than a nice change of pace from the office or a bundle of professional development hours, especially when the price point may limit a company to only one seminar a year. The whole experience needs to be considered. The quality of the instruction, opportunities for hands-on learning, and overall attendee experience all contribute to whether employees return energized and better equipped to do their jobs. The Bussmann seminar demonstrated how thoughtful planning and investment in those areas can create lasting value.
Author: Zachary Jenkins PE – Electrical Engineer
