Tips from an EO Event Rookie

Article by:

Wayne Gerard

EO Brisbane

Wayne is a director and the principle trainer/consultant for SG Partners, a firm that delivers sales-oriented consulting, recruiting and training services for clients worldwide. E-mail Wayne at [email protected].

I recently attended my first EO event— the 2009 EO ANZAC Summit, held in Melbourne, Australia. What an amazing experience! Not only were the learning sessions filled with valuable insights—many of which I’ve applied to my business—but the social activities allowed for memorable interactions with global members. All in all, I walked away from this event with a much deeper appreciation for EO and the real value it provides. If you have yet to attend an EO event, here are some tips for getting the most out of the experience:

• Plan well in advance. By planning my schedule ahead of time, it stopped me from getting distracted with work issues while I was on site.

• Pace yourself. There’s going to be a lot to learn— trust me. There will also be plenty of opportunities to celebrate. If you pace yourself, you’ll get more out of the experience.

• Attend the learning events. This is a must. You can’t imagine the kind of relatable value you’ll receive from renowned business experts and speakers.

• Always ask questions. You’re surrounded by hundreds of EO peers— imagine the amount of knowledge circulating!

• Make an effort to meet others. This is an amazing opportunity to network with like-minded entrepreneurs. The more people you meet, the more opportunities for growth and future business.

• Attend the after party. Think you’ve partied in cool places? Wait until you experience a chapter-sponsored after party. It’s another chance to mingle, minus the pressure.

• Get involved. Don’t just sit there. By getting involved, I was able to make new friends, establish potential business leads and learn from other members’ entrepreneurial journeys.

• Dress for the occasion. One of my Forum buddies went all out, which inspired me to do the same. It made the experience even more enjoyable, and it helped when talking about business.

• Take plenty of photos. This is a no-brainer. Photographs serve as permanent reminders of what you can expect at future EO events.

• Stay in touch. Since ANZAC, I’ve stayed in touch with many of the people I met. Now, whenever I’m in their city, we can catch up, network and strengthen our relationships.