What’s on Pandora: She Said She Said by The Beatles
Conference time for me! Make no mistake — I’ve prepared for this for months. The contacts were made through research and reaching out via email. The appointments were made in the last few weeks. The RSVPs for the various functions were made last week, and the brochure was finalized and printed (LOVE FexEx – same-day service!). Now is the time to meet, greet, and make valued connections.
This year is different — the conference organizers have announced a last-minute policy whereby anyone attending or exhibiting cannot solicit or conduct business anywhere in the area of the hall or the conference hotels. Uh, right. The idea is to keep people from doing business without buying booth space, and also to keep people from stealing potential customers right out from under the exhibitors at their own booths. However, the language in the policy is so poorly written, it could mean that meeting with a potential client at their request could be a violation.
The exhibitors are certainly there to conduct business, so I’m concerned for them. Not so much for me. I have appointments. They’ve invited me to stop by and talk shop. I’ve had to amend my plan to introduce myself and pass out brochures to others, though. Now I will say hello, mention my background, and give them a business card in exchange for theirs. I don’t see a problem with that. If they ask for more information, I’ll give them a brochure, but not until they ask. I may think it’s a ridiculous policy, but I’ll follow it to the letter.
I’m also going to get fodder for my new risk management blog. I’ve had both a blog and a newsletter in the past, and I just can’t stay away from it. Time to feed the passion, I guess. So there will be press events and sessions to attend.
I won’t be around for a few days, so I’ve left you some thoughts and posts to ponder. I’ll still be checking in, so keep the conversation going!
Today’s thought:
What do you love most about your job?
First off-love the name of your risk management blog, Lori. Clever. 🙂
What do I love most about my job? One word – freedom.
Have a great conference!
Absolutely — feed the passion.
I love the actual writing process. I love to sit down and create.
Lori, you're one of three writers I know who are either attending or have been invited to cover national conferences this week.
That got me thinking about types of conferences or events I could cover. Staffers and local freelancers already cover all of the TV industry events, so I started thinking about crafty events. Just as I remembered my sister and a friend were planning to attend a large fiber festival this summer (they went last year, too),my sister forwarded me an e-mail she'd received from the event planner. My sister added a note that I should look into covering it for some of the crafty publications I've written for.
That's what I'll start today, along with getting three small projects turned in.
Even when you're off at a conference, you still manage to inspire us, Lori! I hope you land lots of new clients.
Nice blog, Lori. Great example of promoting your expertise and building credibility via blogging!
Good luck at the conference too. Looking forward to hearing about the fruits of all your labor.
I'm with Devon – the best part of the job is the writing, the creation. Though the process can be painful at times, it's so worth it. The feeling of accomplishment at the end is a close second 😉
Have fun at the conference!
Good luck at the conference. I'm looking forward to future posts about what worked and what didn't. I know you'll be successful.
I love the variety that freelance writing brings and the opportunity to meet so many great people.
Love the new blog… miss your presence… why in the world are they trying to restrict business… that could kill the whole conference…
I love that I'm barefoot and have been since bedtime last night and that I just ate lunch on my own deck.
Freedom. Exactly. Cathy, that one word keeps me going, too.
Devon, isn't that the best part? Schmoozing can be fun (and drudgery, depending on whom it is you're schmoozing), but putting words to paper — can't be beat.
Sounds like a great idea, Paula. Craft companies need marketing materials, too!
Kim, it will be a good report. 🙂 One of the best shows yet.
Fun was had, Ashley! More later….
I love the variety too, Wade. It keeps our jobs so interesting!
Miss you too, Anne. And after the few days I've just had on hard floors in heels, I love barefoot, too.