What happens when you attend 6 conferences in 2 countries within 10 weeks?
You meet a lot of people. Lol.
With Alanna Schroeder of The Distinguished Guest at the HomeAway Summit – Austin 2016
Seriously, though, what really happens when you travel to so many different conferences, even into another country, to attend a conference, of all things?
You meet a lot of people and are crowned the selfie queen at one of the conferences (VRSS in Toronto).
Like-minded people.
Fresh viewpoint people.
Mentor people.
Inspirational people.
Negative people.
High energy people.
I met a lot of people. (Now the word people sounds funny, huh?)
Selfies at the Vacation Rental Success Summit in Toronto
In fact, I am writing these words from over 10k feet in the air, on my way to see several of those people whom I met at conferences.
Even though I gave presentations at 4 of the conferences, photographed the fifth one, and simply explored one as an attendee, the biggest takeaway from each and every event was the connection I made with people.
Yes, I may have followed several of the people on social media or were “Facebook friends” before a conference. But meeting someone in real life, shaking their hand, greeting them with a hug…that is something altogether different.
Finally met Vanessa with Rentals United at the VRMA East conference
The simple act of sitting next to someone who is in the same industry as you are or has similar interests as you have, then discussing one another’s trials and triumphs, and leaving the conversation with renewed energy and a fresh perspective on an issue is quite refreshing.
Yes, one could have a Skype call or Google Hangout to connect over the Internet. But it’s still not the same as being able to walk up to a random person at the cocktail hour and introduce yourself…or have someone walk up to you to say hello.
You never know whom you might meet or make a connection with. You could go home with your most complex issue solved because you spoke with someone who has already walked through that situation before themselves.
With Lightroom guru Dave Doeppel at Shutterfest photography conference
Or maybe those hand shakes and side hugs are the prelude to your best guest referrals…or guests themselves.
Or even turn into an adventure to visit a best selling author and her husband and have a glass of wine on the central coast of California (where I am headed right now).
Or even a lifetime friend who supports and encourages you on this journey of living life.
People are cool.
Meet more of them.
Listen to them.
Share with them.
Learn from them.
Be friends with them.
And they will change your life.
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Tyann Marcink
Vacation Rental Photographer
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