Top 5 Reasons Why I Love Attending Events
Last week I had the privilege to attend a local blogger event to discuss the latest trends and strategies in the industry. The event not only left me motivated but feeling positive.
Part of me believed that this was purely because spring has well and truly sprung but when I reflected on my new found determination, it was in fact the event that had caused the change in my demeanour. Here are my top 5 reasons why I love attending events.
- Open Your Mind & Fuel Your Soul
It is so easy to get caught up in our own bubble and get used to doing everything for ourselves. We get so centrally focused about trying to motivate ourselves that we sometimes forget that there are others out there who have wonderful lessons to pass on.
Attending events allows us the opportunity to be exposed to new ideas and concepts which we can implement into our work. It is astounding the impact that just one sentence from a speaker can have. It might change your outlook on a topic or shine a light on an area that has beginning to struggle under the day to day chores that life presents.
2. Getting Connected
Listening to speakers is inspiring but so is being in a room full of like-minded, determined and creative people.
Unfortunately, we don’t get to do that often, as we are living in an ever-growing virtual space. Between email, text, social media and all the other digital ways of connecting we are losing the opportunity to interact or network with total strangers in person.
While for many reading this, the nerve racking and exciting thrill of having to interact with a total stranger might sound like too much. But those who may appear good at it will testify, it can only be improved by practising it on a regular basis.
That’s why I love events, they are often set up in such a way where we are forced to mingle naturally, and everyone is in the same boat. This interaction is much stronger than virtual interactions and can lead to many important working (and sometimes non-working) relationships being formed.
3. Self-Promotion
When we become comfortable at speaking and interacting with people at these events, the next reason that I love them is that you can use them to self-promote.
Now this does not mean running around the event telling every person how amazing you are, this is carefully selecting the people you want to speak to in advance of the event. It provides the opportunity to speak to the brand or agency that you have been struggling to connect with digitally. An in-person meeting is worth a lot more than any digital introduction.
Even if it does not lead where you want it to go, being seen with these people at a well-attended event could catch the eye of others who are willing to help.
4. Wonderful Food
When attending an event, most people are normally curious about two things.
What will the dress code for the event be? And more importantly what food will be served?
The first will give an indication as to the style or formality of the event. The second can make or break an event. It often serves as the centre piece and ice breaker for all guests, hence why luxury events planners are creating increasingly spectacular food to impress guests.
But the real enjoyment is not only in how wonderful looks and tastes but the various types of food that you get to taste. Worldwide street food seems to be very popular now, meaning that you often get to come away from an event with a new cuisine to explore.
5. Enjoyment
Let’s face it, the biggest reason why these events exist is that they are fun! From the location to the entertainment, everything is specifically chosen to match the desires of the attendees to ensure that they extract the greatest level of enthusiasm and participation.
At the end of the event, if you haven’t had fun, either it has been badly planned, or you are at the wrong event.
