One of the aspects of being a good researcher, in my opinion, is your ability to convey your research to others. This is a major advantage of attending a conference. The chance to practise your public speaking skills will be high valuable in your future career. Furthermore, the chance to network and gain contacts in a comparable field, who may have access to a piece of equipment you need or who may just have an excellent idea for a collaboration, is vital in successful research.
Dr Linzi E. Amers-Dodd 