Plan Your Meetings

After years of ignoring the hit TV show “Lost,” I decided to tune in for the series premiere last night. It was interesting, but I felt utterly adrift. Evidently, it was filled with all sorts of people and bits of information that I would have gotten had I been plugged into the TV show over the years. But since I just walked in, much of it was interesting, but obviously aimed towards a select group among whom I don’t belong.

Then it occurred to me: A lot of times, we have people walk into our events who are experiencing our group for the first time. Are we making a strong enough commitment to engage and welcome them into our community? Or are we making the assumption that the name or reputation of the organization/event is enough of a selling point?

I wish I had a nickel for every time someone came back from an industry luncheon and told me they felt it was “too cliquey.” When offered the choice between cliquey gatherings and ones that feel open and inviting, which would you choose? Nobody likes walking in and feeling like they’re intruding on a closed old-boys/old-girls club.

So, try this: Next time you’re at an industry function, don’t just seek out the people you know, look for the newbies to engage in conversation. When you’re planning events, make sure there’s some kind of first-timer’s orientation for attendees and exhibitors where they can meet veterans, learn the context and history of your event and get some tips on how to make the most of it.

Because, let’s face it: If you want to make your events engaging to a new generation of attendees, you can’t afford to let them get “Lost.”