Its network marketing convention season! Such an exciting time and I cannot wait to see what each company releases.
Have you been feeling unmotivated with your current tribe and maybe a little lackluster with your efforts? Are you on the other end of the spectrum and so ready to take your team to the next level with the new products and training’s offered?
Either way convention will leave you motivated to tackle any challenges you have and renew any waning motivation with speakers, new products and industry related training. You’ll leave with renewed vigor.
If you are on the fence about going to convention I can help you right now. Go. Go every year. Meet as many people as you can and soak it all up! With that being said if you aren’t quite sure what to expect or what to bring to ensure your time is well spent I have put together a list of “must-haves” to help you.
10 Must Haves for Your Company Convention:
- Business cards! Lots of people don’t think of this because you think you are going somewhere to be surrounded by other people in the same company but you’re still making connections. You still want to keep in touch with people and expand your network (even your support network) and the easiest way is to exchange business cards. Plus, you truly never know when an opportunity arises to talk to someone about what you do. Chances are you will be descending in masses to a city and people who don’t know about your company may ask you questions. Maybe someone at the airport or on the airplane at the hotel etc. don’t miss a chance to share your story.
- Snacks! Usually your general sessions are for long time periods and even if you are used to not eating for long time periods there is something about just sitting and listening to speakers that rev up your appetite. Maybe your excitement just burns more energy?! Not sure but quick and easy snacks for during convention like granola bars, any kind of nuts, cut veggies etc. Anything that doesn’t smush or go bad in a bag during the day. You’ll also want snacks for any time spent in the hotel room. Quick tip- if you are flying and don’t want to pack snacks look for a local grocery store with delivery service or google delivery service (usually available in big cities) and have snacks for the duration of convention delivered to your hotel. Or friend someone with a rental and go on a food run! There is of course always rideshare.
- Extra power chargers for your phones. You will be taking lots of pictures and/or videos. Like, a lot. This is one I wish someone had told me for my first convention. Those slides go fast, speakers speak fast. Sometimes taking a quick picture of the slide or a video is the best way to capture that information. This will drain your battery quickly. I honestly recommend multiple back up chargers, they range from around $5-$10 for the very basic ones. I bring a 4 back up so I can use two each day and charge two other ones. Its just easier.
- Refillable water bottle and Travel Coffee mug. I can pretty much guarantee wherever your convention is located there will be a way for you to refill a water bottle. One that is at least 32oz is probably best and if you like cold water you might want to invest in something like a hydro-flask. It’s also nice to have a mug for coffee to bring from your hotel or Starbucks to keep your coffee warm longer.
- Comfortable/Sensible shoes. Though for big portions you will be sitting and listening there is also inevitably lots of walking. Walking to a product showcase, walking to and from a close hotel, walking to food for your lunch breaks. My convention usually has 2 close by convention spaces across the street from each other but they are so big and there is so much walking between the two for the different trainings etc. that I value the comfort of my shoes.
- Sweater/Light jacket. Even if you are headed to Tampa! The thing is there are going to be thousands of people packed in one space, the A/C will be on full blast and the temperature inside will vary. It’s no fun to be cold.
- Extra bag for your “stuff”. No matter what you think about how much you will actually buy, make sure you have enough room for at least 25% more (or if you’re like me about 50%!). There will possibly be new products to purchase and bring home, a swag store (this is my Achilles heal) and you just never know what you’ll just “have to have”. I personally bring a soft duffel inside my one suitcase for extra space.
- Pen/Paper. Usually this will be provided for you but if you’re like me having your own notebook and pen makes me happier. Our company gave us a notebook that had a binding so you couldn’t lay it flat etc-this drove me bonkers. Plus, personally I love any excuse to buy more office type supplies and pretty pens.
- Though most things are credit card ready you’ll be surprised that some things won’t! We have food trucks come park by our location (very smart of them) and some take only cash. Some little food carts inside our building only take cash. Lastly- you’ll probably end up dining with people and its sometimes easier to split the bill with cash. It’s much easier to bring cash versus finding your own bank or getting hit with ATM fees.
- Personal miscellaneous items that you might not think of. Tissues, there will be tear-jerker stories. There just will. Bring a little travel size package of tissues. Lip balm especially if going to a new and/or drier climate. Head or neck tension- again this could be due to elevation changes or just the massive input of sensory type activities but I inevitably get some episodes of tension and don’t want to buy $8 package of 2 Advil. I use essential oils so for me this is Deep Blue. If you are sensitive to time changes maybe some jet-lag medicine as you’ll probably be arriving somewhere and need to hit the ground running. Travel first aid kit or if nothing else band aids. You’ll be a savior for anyone that gets a blister with their non sensible shoes!
Last on my list is not tangible and more than likely second nature but go with an open mind. They may be teaching things you don’t know if you agree with yet. Pushing you out of your comfort zone. This is good! Massive growth happens outside that fear zone.
#BeInspiredToChange
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