From Missed Flights to Meaningful Moments: Why I Speak at Community Events

Jenn Claridge
May 20
2 min read

Back in 2018, I got asked to speak at a user group event. I felt proud—like I was stepping into a new chapter. I’d made it. I was excited, nervous, and ready to share what I knew.

That is… until I missed my flight.

What followed were a few tearful calls to the organizer, my boss, and a last-minute schedule change. But I made it. I delivered my first session on what was then called Microsoft Dynamics NAV—specifically on RapidStart—and I was instantly hooked.

Since then, I haven’t stopped speaking (some say I never stop!). I’ve presented at events all over North America and Europe. And every time someone tells me they found value in my session, I get this amazing dopamine rush. It’s deeply rewarding, and it keeps me coming back.

So, why do I speak?

To challenge myself. Speaking keeps me on my toes—it forces me to learn, grow, and get better.
To inspire. I want people to walk away feeling like they can do the thing they came in unsure about. Not only to do the things but maybe even speak themselves!
To make the complex feel manageable. There’s a lot of great content about what’s next, but sometimes, people just need help with the day-to-day. I focus on practical topics that people face right now.
To support the community. Whether it’s end users, partners, or fellow professionals, I’m here to lift us all up and help grow our shared knowledge.

And how can I help you?

If you're thinking about getting into speaking or contributing to the community, I’d love to support you:

Help you brainstorm topics
Sit in on a dry run of your talk
Listen to your ideas and help turn them into sessions
Share calls for speakers when I see them
Introduce you to the amazing people I’ve met along the way

Speaking started with a rocky takeoff, but it's turned into one of the most meaningful parts of my professional journey. It fills my heart—and keeps me current on the product too.

It may have started messier than I imagined, but I’m committed to finishing strong.

So, why do I speak?

And how can I help you?

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