The Meetings Industry. It’s Elementary

I love meetings and exhibitions, both online and face to face.  I like getting together with a group of people and share a learning experience, discuss ideas and takeaways, walking on a trade show floor to learn about new things and see how people connect. Even though I’m not the most extrovert of persons, events and exhibitions entice me to get out of my comfort zone every time.

So what is it in an event that makes me want to be a part of it?

Sure, subject matter and topic are a no-brainer. They have to fit my needs.

And yes, I meet new people. But I can do that anywhere.

Then how do they do it?

Here’s my answer. They bring me all the elements I need.

Fire – the excitement you feel when you are hearing or sharing great ideas. The way that all attendees or groups can work together, or the way that a speaker can inspire. You need fire at a meeting, to ignite that overall vibe. The sensation that you are part of a collaborative gathering that will help you do better things, and in which you can help others as well.

Water - events can bring an ocean of ideas, a sea full of possibilities. And even better, they are like rain: they will get you soaked eventually. Soaked with an overall feeling of the event, soaked with ideas and inspiration. There is no escape from it, so you need to learn to swim. And then float and play in a clear, transparent environment that carries you everywhere you want to go.

                             Family soaked in the rain at Niagara Falls - Hm. must be a hybrid conference :-)

Earth – if there is no structure, no clear objective, no foundation, you get lost. A conference program or trade show floor set boundaries and form a solid starting point from where you can explore any topic. They form the soil that you need to grow your ideas, and learn. And they can keep you down to earth as well, listening to the experiences of peers and teachers.

Air – even though an event can be pretty busy and invasive, it clears your mind from other things. It simply gives you some fresh air, stepping outside your day-to-day routine. Stepping outside your box. It blows away the clutter with a light breeze, removes old ways with a storm.  And it gives you the needed time to breathe, to see a new horizon, to know where you will be heading next

So yes, I love events.

As long as they include Fire, Earth, Water and Air, all basics are covered.