The ISES Beat by Vince Corona

Hairspray proclaims “You can’t stop the beat,” and when ISES members from around the world met in Baltimore for Eventworld 2010, you couldn’t stop the ISES beat; not that you would ever want to! What a week of learning, meeting and fun!

As this was my first Eventworld, I went in with the anticipation of learning something different and meeting new people. Wow, did I ever underestimate my experience. The learning journey led me to some wonderful paths. Educational sessions, led by ISES members and industry experts, offered a variety of topics, which were divided on four tracks:

1. Business Applications: Sessions concentrated on the business owner and how to effectively run a business

2. Topical Trends Track: Topics concentrated on how become more effective event professionals with sessions ranging from Social Media to Entertainment to Design Trends

3. Event Practices: Focused on practical tools ranging from handling RFP’s to Building Relations with Non-Profit Clients

4. Event Boot Camp: Sessions geared toward the emerging Special Event Professional

The seminars were great, but the added bonuses were the discussions after the sessions with your new “ISES Friends” and how the topics related to your business or Chapter. Some of the best ideas came from others as they shared their experiences.

One thing particularly interesting was the contrast between the new ways of doing business and the old. Social Media ranked not one, but two seminars which helped to bring into focus not only what Social Media can do for your company but what the huge impact it is having on how your customers are doing business. The Social Media sessions were followed with the ancient art of Creative Writing and the importance of this craft when submitting proposals. It really demonstrated that no matter how much our business practices are changing, some things are important to maintain; such as, writing the perfect opening paragraph in a proposal designed to grab your client’s attention and hold onto it until the winning the bid!

The Eventworld experience certainly wasn’t limited to the formal sessions inside meeting rooms. The learning and friendships grew at evening events which allowed the social sides in all of us to come out. Whether it was the formal ISES Connections Lunge or informal gatherings with new friends, the connections to others and their experiences were amazing. Being able to connect and follow professionals across the world was a bonus beneficial both as an ISES Board Member and in my own business.

My Eventworld experience can be best summed up with “me and us”. The me part was how much I learned that will make me a more effective professional. The us part included all the ideas I picked up that will make the ISES Dallas a better chapter. If this is not something you have experienced before, I would highly recommend that you find your way connect to this great ISES (event)World next year in St. Louis!