Time management plays a pivotal role in the success of business events. Achieving a balance between networking and handling the workload can often present a significant challenge. In the early stages of my career, I made it a point to attend every sales visit from venues and accepted every event invitation from associations. While I recognized the importance of networking, I found that it often consumed valuable time that could have been allocated to crucial tasks.
Over time, I’ve learned to adopt a more discerning approach when choosing which events and trade shows to participate in. This strategic method has proven to be more effective in promoting our business. Nowadays, when venues or restaurants extend invitations, I encourage my team to take advantage of these networking opportunities, particularly those who are new to the industry.
While I still make it a priority to attend trade shows and travel for corporate meetings and incentive trips to key destinations, the emergence of virtual platforms has revolutionized our approach by significantly reducing travel time. This has allowed us to showcase our services online and, when a client expresses interest in a destination we’re promoting, I’m more than willing to arrange face-to-face meetings, lead site visits, and offer guidance on venue sourcing.
Here are some recommendations for effective time management in business events:
Prioritize Tasks: Identify critical tasks and give them your full attention. Utilize a task management system to stay on top of deadlines and monitor progress.
Selective Networking: Attend only the most relevant events and trade shows that align with your business objectives. Delegate other networking opportunities to capable team members.
Leverage Technology: Embrace virtual platforms for conducting meetings and presentations to minimize time spent on travel and logistical arrangements.
Delegate: Place trust in your team to take on responsibilities. Encourage them to attend events and network on behalf of the company.
Thoughtful Scheduling: Carefully plan your calendar to prevent scheduling conflicts and ensure that an adequate amount of time is allocated for both networking and essential tasks.
Establish Boundaries: Define clear boundaries between your professional and personal time to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
