Working with Event and Conference Planning Organizations

Broaden your business contacts by working with event and conference planning organizations

Event planning organizations provide many opportunities to participate in industry workgroups and events that can put your business in a position to make more contacts that will help to increase sales. As a volunteer in an association of event planners, you’ll be able to build relationships with other members of the event planners association who work within the industry in some capacity.

Professional event planning associations are always open to receiving help with various committees that involve various amounts of effort. You can begin working with event planner organizations in a number of capacities, from lobbying on behalf of the association of event planners, to serving on the board, writing for the society of event planners newsletters or helping to put on the group’s meetings and conferences. Make a name for yourself in the industry by working with event and conference planning organizations in a variety of ways.

1. Expand your network through wedding planner associations

2. Support the industry by participating in event planning professional associations

3. Serve on committees in meeting planner associations

 

Build lasting relationships in event planner organizations

In event planning organizations you will spend quality time with other members in the regular meetings, seminars and conventions put on by the professional event planning associations. Build on those relationships by working with the planning committees for the events and your company will reap the rewards of greater exposure and positive influence within the event planner association as a whole.
Try: Meeting Planners International is one of the largest trade groups for the association of event planners industry and offers many local chapters in which you can get involved. Make valuable connections by working with the Professional Convention Management Association.

Donate time and resources to event planner organizations

In addition to the members of the event and conference planning organizations with whom you'll work, you'll also find opportunities to meet with affiliate members. To gain credibility and favor with all members of the association, you should pay regular membership dues and look for other ways to donate resources whether it's financially through advertising and donations or with your time.
Try: Find niche members and exciting opportunities to work with volunteers of the International Association of Fairs & Expos. Work with executives, managers and other event professionals at the International Association of Assembly Managers.

Participate actively in event planning organizations

Events, trade shows and seminars are regular activities for those whose main industry is the production of those events. While most nonprofit associations employ a staff to assist the membership with its various activities, volunteers are an invaluable piece of any association of event planners. In addition to board and committee work, consider providing your professional expertise by teaching at the seminars or offering your services as a speaker during special events.
Try: Find a place for your company at the table with the professionals at the Connected International Meeting Professionals Association. The Exhibit Designers and Producers Association will put you in touch with an entirely different group of event planners. Round out your networking by inclusion of this group in your radar.

 

• In addition to your own participation in an event planning association, encourage your staff, particularly senior management, to find a group in which they too can get involved.

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