Oh no, I've got to do a tradeshow...

Don't let that be your refrain! Tradeshows can be an amazing way to meet potential clients or suppliers. You can reinforce existing relationships through networking at a show and really build brand awareness.

I am still a tradeshow 'rookie', but some of the things that I have learned over the years are:

• No food or drinks visable in the booth
• Don't sit down and bury your nose in a book, laptop, blackberry, knitting - get up, smile and show interest in the people that are there
• Have something fun for people to look at that you can chat about - do you have a game that they can participate in and win something instantly
• Have a great doorprize and let people know about it
• Be visable from a few booths down - draw people towards you

As I said, I'm a rookie, but I am lucky to have a colleague who is an expert in this area and she is coming to Victoria in August to offer her knowledge in a half day workshop. There are more details on my website - here is the link to check it out http://www.24carrotlearning.com/eventdetails.cfm?event=2367

Business Networking in Victoria, BC ~ The Power of Connection

The Power of Connection is strong, vibrant, synchronistic and abundant. It can happen in an instant or can be built over a series of meetings. You never know when a connection will happen but it will only happen when you put energy into meeting and helping others, sharing what you have to offer - your connections, your products or your services and sometimes your encouragement and wisdom.

The Power of Connection, a new initiative brought to you by 24 Carrot Learning, creates a space for this to happen by holding formal and informal networking and connecting events created for the purpose of helping each other building our businesses.

The team at 24 Carrot Learning has been organizing and hosting the events for the Victoria Chapter of Roaring Women since September 2007. We have also hosted our own events during this time, and effective June 1st I have resigned my from position of Regional Director for Roaring Women for Victoria, BC - it is time for me to build my own brand! There will still be Roaring Women events and I will be promoting them on my website and in my newsletter. At 24 Carrot Learning we believe in contributing back to our community and we operate in the spirit of abundance. We'll also continue to help you promote your events as well, so be sure to get in touch with me if you have something of interest to our community.

Events typically wind down for the summer but this year you'll continue to receive notifications of in-person events, online teleconference learning, and more. We recognize that business goes on during the summer and we've decided to do the same! If you attended Networking on the Move last year you'll be happy to know this is starting up again! Each event we hold will have networking, education and business building time. We'll hold events that everyone can attend, and some just for women, like our upcoming retreat that benefits cancer research.

Our website will help you continue to connect with others that you have met at an event as with each registration we'll post a link to your website or email address, in the form of a business card size advertisement (nothing fancy but another way to connect with people).

Your feedback is important to me - please email me if you want to share something. We are so excited about this new initiative and look forward to seeing you soon!