Tomorrow I leave for Boston and the Inbound Marketing Summit. I am like a kid at Christmas – the expectations are quite high. I attended the IMS in Dallas earlier this year and found it very informative. But that was before I formulated the idea for Trust Agents 101. Since then my perspective has changed and I am coming to this event with different agenda.
My arena for the last 25+ years has been face-to-face marketing encompassing trade shows, executive briefings, seminars, etc. In the social media world, I am a blogger for my own site – Let’s Talk Trade Shows (www.letstalktradeshows.com) and I facilitate two blogs for my Association – the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (www.iaee.com). One blog is for the Center of Exhibition Industry Research (http://blog.ceir.org) and the other is a brand new site/blog for The Center for Exhibitor and Event Marketing (http://blog.iceem.net)
One of my favorite quotes of Albert Einstein is:
“There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.”
As Mr. Einstein talks about everything being a miracle, it is my intention to see gifts everywhere I turn at the IMS!! So let’s review the gifts I am anticipating unwrapping at the Conference.
Anticipated Gifts
Renewing business friendships
One of my trade show colleagues will be there – Susan Friedmann, the Trade Show Coach. She and I will be video taping segments for a future product we are creating together. Most likely it will be enhanced and enriched via the conference sessions and the conversations we will have with the other attendees. Susan’s site is www.thetradeshowcoach.com.
Another colleague I will be video taping is Bill Sell. who current serves at the VP & General Manager of CrossTech Media. We have known each other for over 25 years. We first met when he was in charge of COMDEX; my firm conducted the first audit of COMDEX back in the 80’s. I want to capture some of his extensive knowledge and then share it on The Center for Exhibition and Event Marketing’s new site (www.iceem.net).
Learning – from speakers, sponsors and attendees
The lineup of speakers and topics is rich with content. With the new focus on Trust Agents101, I am anticipating all kinds of ideas to fill in the gaps I have in my business model.
Listening to others – their questions
The Q & A portion of the speeches I have found to be fertile ground for learning. Some one asks a questions and I learn. Typically, their question is often something I would not have considered and I am very thankful they asked it!! The same thing happens in conversations – the exchange occurs and in the process new ideas are shared.
Meeting new friends
There are so many people I have been following on Twitter and it will be fun to now have a face for their Tweets. I know in advance I will not be able to meet everyone but those I do could form new business alliances and/or just new friends.
Generating New Ideas (to apply now or later)
Just think of the thought leadership that will be there – the intellectual capital of like-minded people; the exchange of ideas will be a constant variable. I will be apart of that conversation stream.
Ah-ha moments – clarity
I am expecting a certain “ah-ha” moment where everything comes together and a new dawning happens. Look for future blog posts with those moments detailed.
My Gift to those who are there
Where appropriate I want to share my wealth of knowledge and connections with others. I have always enjoyed being a catalyst in other peoples live and view my time in Boston to continue that facet.
Look for short posts from the event detailing the gifts I am receiving and giving.
And the last gift
To see the Fall colors!! I have been a leaf-peeper on many occasions.
