Remember
that session when the speaker turned a tech
failure into a tech success? Or the ICCA network event when we tasted
Dutch herring? Or the great fun we had in an Amsterdam pod connected to
EventCamp Twin Cities?
Well you
probably do not – unless you were there. But you have other memories of events and tradeshows much like mine. And more of them , I know most #eventprofs get out a bit more than I do :-) . But that is not my point here.. it
is about the power of events.
We share
the same experience of venue, program, tradeshow, booths, sessions. The event
provides a common ground, a framework and a shared interest even before we say
Hello.
We are all
out of our comfort zone, in a different setting, out of our day-to-day routine.
That makes us more eager to connect and reach out to others. And if we already know people from previous events, even
better. Than we can add another chapter to our joint story.
That is why
events, conferences and tradeshows are
so effective and irreplaceable. You do not just remember the content and innovations, you also include
the people you meet . They become a part of the story, and often turn into long term, valuable relations.
And we keep running into each other. Through face to face meetings maybe, but also online. We connect and
re-connect in the events LinkedIn groups, on its Facebook pages, websites or via hashtags. Giving us another umbrella to build
relationships.
In fact the
phrase ” long term relationships through a shared experience” was one of
the tweets I sent during an online event,
the weekly #expochat that @tracibrowne
invented . Another way of building relationships…and a great way
to share experiences!
Probably this
topic was inspired by the festive
season, peace on earth, bringing people together and all that, but nevertheless it’s true.
So
any resolutions for next year? Adding to the story, I guess. Happy 2014!
