Another Plug for Networking and Travel

This morning I am recovering from several days in the Colorado mountains attending a business retreat. This was exactly the kind even that – if the host was a TARP recipient – would cause hypocritical Senators to make a big stink. The meeting was hosted by a well-known manufacturer of audiovisual and entertainment equipment and attended by executives from its major customers. This company spent a lot of money to ship and install its products in a conference ballroom at a ski resort. The attendees took out valuable time from their businesses to learn about the product line, changes in dealership agreements, and to let the host tout their services. All very good reasons to meet face to face.

But the host provided its customers with something that is priceless. This event (and others like it across the industry) provided unlimited networking opportuntities for the attendees. Competitors, old friends, colleagues, and business partners had a chance to eat, drink, sit, ski, snowmobile, and wait in lines – together. I have a pocket full of business cards to remind me of who I have met and later this morning I will be making notes about things that were discussed.

I made new friends. We shared insights and ideas. As the keynote speaker for this event I was not a huge contributor to the many conversations about day to day business challenges and customer trends, but I was a great listener. I know a lot more about companies from all over North America. They know more about me. We all know more about the host and what’s going on in our industry. Win-win-win.

Will this event change the economy? No, but it helps. Will it affect how businesses ride out the storm? Yes. Will these companies be around for the long term? I think definitely yes. Two for three.

There’s one more upside to this trip. Picture a popular Colorado ski resort, just an hour outside of Denver, the first week of Spring Break. Not what you might think- it was a ghost town. Many of the shops were closed or empty. Only half the restaurants were open and you could get a table at any time of day. The slopes were very uncrowded. We could see two chair lifts from the ballroom lobby and even with six inches of fresh powder overnight only one in ten chairs carried skiers. Our little conference/junket made a huge impact on this resort’s income over these days. Business travel does make a difference.

So, networking trips are good for business and business travel is good for the economy. The attendees are back at their jobs applying ideas and insights. The resort kept dozens of people gainfully employed for another week. The host will have happier customers and will sell more product. Win-win-win…and win.

Tom Stimson

The Stimson Group

www.trstimson.com

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