Continuing from Part 1 with a few simple to remember tips to implement to do your best networking and relationship building at your next conference. These are more about how we prepare ourselves internally to be our Best externally.
Give yourself a break. Trade shows and conferences of any kind can be stressful and can take their toll on us if we’re not careful. Here are a few suggestions to practice daily when on the road ( or any day for that matter)
- Do some deep breathing exercises to clear your head. (Not too many so you don’t hyperventilate!) Just be focused and mindful so you are fresh and ready to tackle the world.
- Eat well-balanced meals and avoid excessive amounts of sugar, caffeine, fat, salt, and additives. I have done a lot of research lately on sugar- and if it was invented today, it would be considered a poison. And we ALL have enough internal ‘sugar’ which helps us to be kinder and sweeter people. Always important when we are meeting and connecting with people both new and old friends.
- Get enough rest. Have the discipline to decline a few late night parties or outings. Remember, if planned correctly, you’ll know what meetings are critical and which are less important. Some people are able to thrive on less than 7-8 hours of sleep, however for most of us it will catch up with us at some point. I get ‘brain fog’ when I don’t get my sleep and therefore am not at my sharpest when I’m out and about and networking.
Get some exercise. All hotels have an exercise room. This might even be another alternative networking opportunity. I’ve met contacts next to me on the Rowing machine and through Circuit training. In fact, one of my new friends in Sarasota is a wonderful person I met working out on the machines.
There’s no place like home. Bring part of your home environment with you when you travel-some people bring their own pillow and order fresh flowers for their room. We all have our Smart phone and I set up my own yoga studio in my room with soft music playing and watch You Tubes of some of my favorite shows. Whatever works for you will make the show or road travel a more pleasurable experience.
The idea of maximizing your efforts at a trade show or conference is to have a plan, be organized, pace yourself, and work smart so that you bring home some bottom-line benefits and results.