Conferences Done: Travel Transition

As it happens, I’m on my way to Antwerp which has nothing to do with conferences nor any customer. It’s in-between my previous conference and a customer visit for next week, so I thought I’d spend my weekend there as I’d not been there, before. But I’m left thinking even more about the past couple of weeks.

As I mentioned when I started this month-long blog, I’ll mention that attending conferences is not necessarily something that gets business leads. I’m talking not just for myself, but even the vendors who pay a lot for booth space do it partly because they feel they need to show up and support certain conferences, and also because they want to see the talks and hear what people are talking about.

As usual, I’d like to mention that face-to-face conferences, while expensive and time-consuming, are still the best way to get information about the industry. It’s by meeting other companies face-to-face that you get to know people and get a strong understanding of what they’re doing. I noticed one customer really working the room – really talking to everyone about each talk. I know it’s out of interest, but also to get the maximum of information in order to bring a lot back. And I’ll bet that some of that leads to ongoing conferences past the conference, as well, which is useful.

Tip to Make the Most of a Conference
As I told the people in the Focus Day at the last conference, and my workshop at the previous one, exchange business cards with people. Otherwise, you get good information from them at the conference, but you’ve got an entire year until the next one. If you find people with similar interest, get their business card and keep –up with them. Check in with them once-in-awhile to find out if they have new ideas or issues to share and share yours with them (if they want you to).

Gloria Metrick
GeoMetrick Enterprises
http://www.GeoMetrick.com/