Power Meetings Playbook Part 3: Share Ideas (and Dream Up New Ones) Through Networking

Welcome back to Power Meetings Playbook, the multipart series where we help you, the promotional products distributor, prepare for your future Power Meetings experience. If you're new here, or if you just want to catch up on the first two installments of this series, click here and here. That first link will give you an overview of the Power Meeting format, while the second includes five tips for getting the most out of your one-on-one supplier meetings. Today, we'll be covering our personal favorite part of Power Meetings: networking.

Networking is more than just a chance to kick back a few drinks and chit-chat with peers. While that's certainly part of it, we look at it more as an investment in the future of your business. Success in the promotional products industry is predominately based on strong relationships, which is why we've built our Power Meetings events around connecting promotional products distributors not just to suppliers, but to other distributors as well. Here's how.

Before each Power Meeting even takes place, we make sure that each attendee (both distributor and supplier) knows who is going to be there. We provide attendee lists that help put names to faces, so when people arrive at the event location they already have a sense of who will be there and can easily start a dialogue.

During the event, we kick things up a notch (to paraphrase everyone's favorite celebrity chef). Each Power Meeting starts with a welcome reception for attendees to gather and introduce themselves before their scheduled meetings begin. Breakfast and lunch times throughout also provide ample opportunities for attendees to sit together and share ideas—whether it's takeaways from their exclusive meetings, big-picture business issues or the best giant Connect Four strategy:

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Power Meetings also provide off-site dinners that allow attendees to let their hair down and relax while taking in some of the scenery and sites of the hosted location as they continue to discover innovative ideas and share success stories among the group. (And, of course, there are drinks.) Altogether, these networking opportunities not only help distributors grow their business, but also act as the foundation for long-lasting relationships that develop into friendships.

Take it from Mike Button, senior account executive for Tricor Brand Communications:

This is where you make your money—ideas, relationships and commitments from your vendors. If you have that you have the sale. Also, I met other distributors that I learned from. Yes, after 30 successful years in this business I’m still learning!

Or from Lori Bostdorff of Red Promotions:

This format/event was amazing. I'm not sure that we'll be doing trade shows any longer and will focus solely on sending one or two people a year to these. The one-to-one time is invaluable, some suppliers have specs or virtuals ready for you upon meeting them, and getting to meet and chat with other distributors to share pains and gains is amazing. Not to mention, the Power Meeting team has this entire event dialed in. It's a well-oiled machine that's run by some really, wonderful people. Can't wait to go back!

And one more, from Donna Tyser, national sales manager for Alight Promos:

It’s about building relationships and these meetings—and the staff running the meetings—support that goal. It’s all about the networking and relationship building. Suppliers and distributors preparing ahead of time, plus three days of concentrated networking, will grow your potential for more business no matter what!"

Want to check out a Power Meeting and see for yourself what all the hype is about? Here's the list of upcoming meetings still open to distributors:

• May 21-24, 2018 - Deerfield Beach, Fla.

• Aug. 27-30, 2018 - Palm Springs, Calif.

• Oct. 8-11, 2018 - Scottsdale, Ariz.

If you're interested in attending, contact Mike Cooper or Renee Brueggeman via email at powermeetings@promomarketing.com or call Mike Cooper at 215-238-5434. For event information and testimonials, visit www.pmpowermeetings.com.