In the meeting and events industry, we by definition have to work from many places. Basically, all we need is a laptop and a cell phone and we can start. This makes our industry to a perfect place for home office. Isn’t that amazing, people would think. Well I see it a little differentiated. I have worked in big companies surrounded by many employees and colleagues. Small companies with about 5 people around. I have worked in airport lounges, taxis, trains and hotels. And I h

I was part of the EventProfsTalk organized by @themiceblogHQ the other day joined by experienced and influential event professionals. The topic was something that drives a lot of event professionals with enough experience in their specific field: Paid vs. unpaid speaking We have all been invited to speak at event industry shows and association events at some point. And it really is an honor being invited to speak there. The first time I was invited I was thrilled and prepared

I have been in the meetings and events industry for about 25 years. Ever since I started in this industry, I have attended industry shows like IMEX, ibtm, The Meeting Show etc. Sometimes I attended as a Hosted Buyer, sometimes as a visitor and other times as a speaker. There is always a reason to be at those shows. The main reasons for me are staying up to date with new developments, networking, learning and preparing for new collaborations with amazing industry professionals

Most of us are employed somewhere or part of a team and pushing the limits to prove that we do a good job. Prove.... to whom? To our boss, to our customer, to ourselves? The target seems to be secondary. Proving that we did a great job and hoping to get the praise is key. But what happens, when we succeeded and do not get this praise? ....we lose faith. We lose faith in the believe that we will be judged by the success. We lose faith in the hope to get a raise or accomplishme

Did you ever work with someone who is completely different from you? Did you ever wonder how they can work like that? Or did you ever think that it would be so much easier if other people were just like you? Well then – maybe it’s time to know about your differences and to use them in a constructive way. Try the short test: Prioritize the statements horizontally. Score them from 4 to 1 points. Start with the one that suits you the best and score that 4. Then score the one tha

There are so many words to describe the people that come to an event or meeting. For some there are still “audience”, for others “delegates” or “attendees”. It depends on the way you look at them and the role you assign them. If we want them to learn something, if we want to learn from their experience, we have to take them out of their inactivity and make them take an active role. This is why I always refer to them as “participants”. In the end it’s “only a word” but if we r

We never think about our breathing; it just comes naturally. Without us trying, we breathe in and we breathe out. But when we hesitate and think about it, there is so much we could do better. There is a reason, why our smart watches keep telling us to breathe, even more so, when we are stressed out. It is more than just inhaling and exhaling. There are different kinds of breathing. When we are relaxed the inhaling and exhaling phase is long. When we are stressed, we tend to s

Most of us don't listen to understand, we listen to reply. If we are having a conversation, we are constantly thinking of how to make sure, we are understood. We want our arguments to be heard and do not focus on the arguments the other one might have. A conversation like that, might end up in a discussion and turn around the same arguments, without any side realizing that they have the same, or almost the same opinion. So how can we actively listen? First of all, there is a

It’s the relations that make the world go ‘round, not the money! Networking is usually at the top of the ranking, if we ask our clients, what they think is important for the attendees of their meetings and events. Networking is also what we want to do, when attending conferences and industry events. Unfortunately, most of us don't perform well, when it comes to action and we actually have to talk to other people. This a natural phenomenon, and we have to embrace the fact, tha

Have you ever tried public speaking? Have you ever not done it, because you thought you couldn’t do it? It is a scary thought, isn’t it? I never wanted to speak in front of a group of people. I was way too worried, that I could say something wrong or not find the words. So, the first time, I had to do it, I did just that. I said things not the way I wanted to say it, my mouth dried out and I was constantly looking for the right words. It was a horrible situation. WAY out of m