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Greetings all,
It's that time of year again, as gardens are in full bloom, and we kick into high gear with a busy calendar of meetings and events.
And as we look forward to gathering with family, friends and colleagues to celebrate the arrival of summer, this is a good time to think about what we can do to cultivate our business relationships.
At HRG, we engage with our clients, strategic partners and colleagues year-round, and we understand how important meetings and events can be to make new connections and
engage with the people who are the key to our success.
In this spring into summer edition of our newsletter, our HRG team came up with some tips and techniques you may want to consider in expanding your network.
We hope you enjoy this month's newsletter, and look forward to hearing from you about this topic and others you may be interested in learning more about. And remember- you can always view and post comments on our LinkedIn and
Facebook pages.
Wishing you all the best for continued success!
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Robert O. Sanders Jr., CMP
Founding Partner
Hospitality Resource Group, Inc.
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Meeting and Event Networking- The Growing Season
The spring season is in full swing, and one look at our crowded calendars tells us that we are as busy as ever, thanks to our clients and strategic partners. And apparently, we are not alone, as about one third of meeting and event planners predicted they would be busier this year in a recent Successful Meetings survey.
For many, this is one of the best times of the year to start forming new business relationships.
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To help you get the most value out of your time spent with colleagues, clients, and new prospects, HRG's Event Solutions, Strategic Training Solutions and Allegis Communications team developed a "recipe for success" for networking.
Here are a few tips to consider from the hundreds of events and thousands of relationships we have developed over the past 20 years:
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Meeting and Event Planning - It Starts With You!
- Want to make the most of your networking time? Think about what you are looking to accomplish. Are any of your colleagues planning to be there? Is there a special guest you would like to meet? Have you picked a "prime-time" to be there? Are you up on trending issues and areas of interest to you and your target audience?
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The Meet & Greet
- Have you ever struggled to describe what you do, or what your company or organization offers? If your organization's mission statement doesn't roll out as smoothly as it should, spend some time practicing your pitch! Your welcome/introduction should take no more than 10 seconds, then share breaking news about your company, the industry you work in, or a project you are working on.
 Your Body Language Says it All!
- Look for groups of 2 or 3 people, approach them with a smile, and find some common ground to cover.
Remember why you (and they) are there! Is it to meet people? Celebrate an occasion or guest of honor? Learn about a trending topic? Hear from a distinguished speaker?
Breaking the Ice
- Smile, and start with small talk, and then share some things you may have in common. Think of something positive to say about the venue, food, entertainment, or speaker. Ask if they have any special plans for the summer, and then feel free to share yours.
Nurture Your Network
- Show you are genuinely interested in what people are saying, pay close attention, play it back- and pass it on!
 Watch Your "Beverage Barometer"
- If you plan to consume alcohol, make sure you gauge your intake, or consider a few "mocktails" instead. One too many could be a career limiting move.
Keep it Light and Upbeat
- Always project a positive attitude, and try not to indulge in the negative. Touch on business. And try a serving of self-deprecation, or a bit of commiseration.
 Leave on a High Note!
- Recap or repeat any good, light-hearted moments, along with a confirmation about setting up a time to meet, and of course, make sure you exchange business cards.
Hint: keep your cards in a different pocket or area on your person than the place where you keep the ones you collect. You don't want to give someone else's card out to your best prospect!
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Networking Works - If You Know How to Work the Room!
For those of you who are good at networking, we hope you find these tips and techniques will help you get even more out of your next meeting or event.
However, some of us are not as good as others when it comes to meeting new people. In fact, public speaking and meeting new people can be as frightening to some as their fear of heights!
Do you or someone on your team need help in developing your networking or presentation skills? Hospitality Resource Group's Strategic Training Solutions can help guide you and your organization, to help grow your business communication skills and expand your network.
For more information on our custom training solutions, give us a call at (914) 761-7111 or email walter@hrginc.net.
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About Hospitality Resource Group
Hospitality Resource Group, Inc. (HRG) is a group of vertically integrated companies, with over 20 years of experience developing innovative training, marketing and event programs for businesses, education institutions, not for profit organizations and municipalities. HRG clients benefit from our proven ability to develop effective management solutions to expand their markets and engage their companies to
build brand equity, increase sales and improve productivity.
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| The HRG family of companies includes:
HRG has earned widespread recognition from leading industry organizations, including: |
Corporate Office: 237 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY - Phone: 914.761.7111 - Fax: 914.761.7854 -
info@HRGinc.net
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