To the Hybrid Boomer – I appreciate your support.
Finally, a business trip! Business travel was mostly shutdown or limited to essential travel only during 2020 and 2021. Until now, it has been one year since my last trip. While recording these thoughts I am on a flight to Las Vegas, Nevada for a conference. Oh, in person conferences were shutdown and limited to virtual only! It is exciting to attend in person again, but scary too. Although masks are required on our flight, over the nose and the mouth the flight attendants keep stressing, there is still that uneasy feeling about flying with variants of COVID still lurking. According to the latest news outlets, there is a brand new strain that has Shanghai, China on lock down. Masking up seems to be the best protection right now.
It feels good to hybrid boomers to get away from home to work someplace else. When traveling on business there are things that you can do to steal a few hours of personal time to get in a little fun. Las Vegas is the perfect city for finding exciting breaks from work. While attending conferences, do make an effort to attend the opening or keynote address. Here you will hear from the top sponsors and executives about the goals of the event and the business outlook for the hosting company.
Conferences are often thought of as boondoggles or a waste of company money and time, but there is real value at these events if you choose to take advantage of it. Plan ahead to get all of the educational and networking opportunities into your agenda, so that you will know where to interject a little fun into your trip without leaving the impression that your time there was not well spent. Here is a checklist to consider:
- Review the conference agenda before you get there
- Decide which sessions interest you or align with your job responsibilities
- Create your own agenda consisting of the sessions and activities that you will attend
- Space your sessions out to enjoy in-between time or to finish early for the day
- Arrive for the conference a day early to register, check-in, etc. – this is an opportunity for a fun night – but plan to turn in early for the early morning keynote the next day!
- Break for lunch – this is a good time to network!
- Depart a day late – opportunity for a fun afternoon and night!
If you attend conferences and have creative ways to find time for fun during your trips, send me an email at boomer@hybridboomer.com to share your experience. With your permission, I might include your suggestions in our blog!
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