If there is a professional equivalent to love at first sight, I experienced it in 1998. One week as a member of a student organization I was thrown to the wolves. I was assigned to a team which was creating a seminar to prepare students for an internship abroad.
For the first time in my life I was given responsibility and authority in a way that gave me true ownership. There were no parents or other authority figures watching in a patient and benevolent manner. If we didn't do it, it didn't happen.
The challenge of planning a seminar from start to finish sparked inner qualities I had rarely used. A strategic nature emerged as we created our goals and overall framework. Sparks of creativity flew as we researched our seminar topic, created content and booked presenters. Deliberate consideration went into finding a venue, planning the schedule and ordering food. A bit of showmanship appeared as my team and I chaired the seminar.
It was a revolution and transformation. It was love at first 'site.'
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
The Basics
To begin with, my name is Brian. However, that may not really matter to you. On the internet, content is king. So you may be more interested in what I intend to blog, and why.
There's something about meetings and conferences that energizes me. The pre-conference planning is a challenge of strategy, negotiation, and risk. Once on-site, meetings are the choreographed execution of those careful plans, and a full on attack by participants, venue, other potential disasters. It is a job when well done goes unnoticed by all but the most grateful. However, done poorly, there is salvation for the unprepared planner.
No wonder so many planners I've spoken with sleep poorly.
So this blog serves as a catalog of my experiences as a planner becomming a professional.
I phrase it that way because I've met many, many 'planners.' Individuals who have hosted a tupperware party, organized a family reunion, or arranged the details of a company meeting often call themselves 'planners.' However, many of these 'planners' seem to know little of the industry and care less for it's advancement.
My goal then, is to escape the quotation marks that silently hang in the air when I describe myself as a meeting 'planner.' What I strive for is to become Brian, Meeting Planner. No quotation marks & no unspoken shame.
There's something about meetings and conferences that energizes me. The pre-conference planning is a challenge of strategy, negotiation, and risk. Once on-site, meetings are the choreographed execution of those careful plans, and a full on attack by participants, venue, other potential disasters. It is a job when well done goes unnoticed by all but the most grateful. However, done poorly, there is salvation for the unprepared planner.
No wonder so many planners I've spoken with sleep poorly.
So this blog serves as a catalog of my experiences as a planner becomming a professional.
I phrase it that way because I've met many, many 'planners.' Individuals who have hosted a tupperware party, organized a family reunion, or arranged the details of a company meeting often call themselves 'planners.' However, many of these 'planners' seem to know little of the industry and care less for it's advancement.
My goal then, is to escape the quotation marks that silently hang in the air when I describe myself as a meeting 'planner.' What I strive for is to become Brian, Meeting Planner. No quotation marks & no unspoken shame.
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