An Nspiring, INtentional Conference Experience

David Crumbaugh, CPA
Co-Founder, Nspired Networking Enterprises, LLC


Amy and I have just returned to Georgia and Texas from an Nspiring BNI International Directors' Conference. We were honored to present our "Connect the Dots" program to over 250 BNI Directors and Members from many different countries. What an amazing experience to learn, share, networking, and build relationships with so many wonderful people from all across the globe.


What this conference, or any conference you may attend, showed me was there are two types of networkers who attend - those with INtention and those without. One thing we at Nspired Networking deeply believe in is that an Nspired networker is one who goes to an event with an intentional mindset. You go with a plan you are ready to implement. Here are three questions to ask yourself to see if you are an INtentional networker.


1. Are you building strategic alliances with the conference attendees or the bartender?


Please understand, having a fun time can and should be part of the conference experience; however if that is your only plan, you are there for the wrong reasons. Intentional networkers review the attendee list prior to arrival and attempt to set up meetings with those attendees they are looking to build alliances with prior to arrival. (And please, when you do meet your bartender, treat them well!!!)


2. Are you setting goals for what you want to get out of the conference or looking for a way to miss a conference session?


Review the conference agenda and pick your session schedule, again, prior to arriving at the conference site. Set your plan and follow it. If you are going with a team, have members practice a "divide and conquer" strategy, so you attend as many sessions as possible. The tourist areas will still be there when the sessions end for the day or when the conference is over.

3. Are you following up on the contacts you made or making many printers happy by building a business card collection?


Business cards are connection tools only if you follow up with the names shown on them. Take time when conference is over to send a quick note of thanks and remain in contact until the next conference. Business opportunities may abound from these connections. Otherwise, many printers will be getting calls for new business while you are left with empty deposit slips.

Conferences are amazing events. I encourage everyone to attend your professions' or organizations' conferences when possible. Remember, be part of the "IN" crowd, be INtentional about your conference networking plan!

Nspire Others!