Dan Knowlton的动态

You can come alone to events. I’ve done it. Many times. Walking into a room full of people you don’t know can feel intimidating, but here’s the truth: some of the best connections I’ve made happened because I showed up alone. No safety net, no familiar faces—just me, open to new conversations. At the D2 collective, I see it all the time. People who arrive solo but leave with new connections, fresh ideas, and sometimes even future opportunities. Community isn’t built by staying in your comfort zone. It’s built by showing up, introducing yourself, being curious and letting serendipity do its thing. So if you’ve ever hesitated to attend an event because you don’t have a plus-one—this is your sign. You belong in the room. And if you’re coming to a D2 event solo, let me know. You won’t be alone for long. Full list of events: https://lnkd.in/e5yZ39hj

Do you have an event you’re holding out on just because of money? Well, stick around because we’ve got an update for you! A lot of people who have an idea for an event are not acting on it simply because of a belief that they have. They think they need a huge amount of money, and to be honest, you don’t. Now, having a more than enough budget makes things easier and smoother but just because your budget isn’t as robust as you want it to be doesn’t mean you should give up or postpone that event you want to host because with the way things are going in the nation, you just might never host that event. What you need to do is to identify your objective, the ‘why’, and identify your ‘how’. When you clearly state why you want to host an event and how you want to go about it, you will come up with solutions to problems, and see ways you can cut costs and make the event happen even on a tight budget. So, go ahead and host that event, it won’t flop just because you’re on a budget. Start small till you can afford to do it big!

Trade shows are fantastic opportunities to network and learn from industry experts. But here's the real question: how much do you actually take home from a trade show? ?? Let’s make the most of these events! Here are some tips: ? Set Clear Goals: Know what you want to achieve before you walk in. ? Engage Actively: Don’t just collect business cards—build meaningful connections. ? Take Notes: Jot down key insights and ideas on the spot. ? Follow Up: Keep the conversation going with new contacts post-event. ? Apply Your Knowledge: Turn those insights into actionable strategies. Share your best trade show tips or experiences below! ?? #Networking #TradeShows #ProfessionalGrowth #IndustryInsights #EventTips

Here’s a ninja trick to network like a boss at a large conference or event… Host a dinner the night before. Why?? Well, everyone is pumped and ready to mingle but often, they’ve got nothing planned for the eve of the event.? That's your golden ticket. Here’s what you do: - Pick a cozy spot near the event venue. - Reserve a table for 8-10. - Hit up a few attendees you wanna connect with. - Invite them over for an exclusive dinner. It's simple.? You dine, you bond, and boom—you’ve got your squad for the event.? Plus, eating together is the secret sauce for great chats. Remember, inviting people is the first step towards building lasting connections.? Use the event’s buzz to your advantage. Everyone attending the event is excited to meet and connect with new people. They have planned what they want to attend, what they want to do during the event, and even where they will stay. What they haven’t given much thought to is what they are doing the night before the event begins. That is your opportunity to begin building your tribe before the event begins. The power of the invitation is real. When you invite people into your life, you take the first step to building the connection. Becoming a superconnector is all about bringing people together and the best part is the event already did the heavy lifting.

I was always told that there is more than one way to skin a cat and whilst I don't endorse defluffing our feline friends and I am very much supportive of different ways to write event plans. Some of my essentials, whether it is a conference, awards ceremony, staff engagement event or a product launch are always; 1. ?????????? ?????????????? ?????? ???????????????????? - if we don't know what we are doing it for and what we want to achieve we ain't doing anything of value. 2. ?????????? ?????? ???????????????????????????????? - no event runs with just one person -?one of the keys to success is knowing who is doing what, why and when. 3. ?????? ?????????????? ???????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????????????? - I need to know how to contact my event team including my external partners before during and even after the event. Critically we need an effective way to log conversations and responses - I'm a fan of WhatsApp but other channels might be more appropriate depending on the event and your crew. 4. ???????????? ?????? ???????????? (?????? ?????????????????????? ???????????? ?????? ???????? ??????) - you have to keep people safe and sound, that is a non-negotiable. I don't run an event unless I have a detailed risk register, know where the hospitals and defibs are, what the terrorist threat is, understand venue evac and muster and a million other risks. I need to ensure everyone gets home safe! 5. ?????? ???????? ???????? - in many cases a literal minute by minute (and sometimes second by second) breakdown of what is happening and when. You need float but you can't have too much else you lose momentum and delegate energy. I could list 100 more must haves in my event plans and these scale depending on what we are doing and how big the event is but you'll give yourself a chance if you know why, who, how (to communicate), what the risks are and when things are going to happen. You'll give yourself a platform for success if you let me manage the detail so you don't have to!

In a surprising twist, the current Chair of the Board @MeridithElliottPowell at National Speakers Association invited me onto the stage at #influence24 (or, more accurately, gently dragged me) to acknowledge my behind-the-scenes contributions. For some, this might come as a surprise, but the truth is that while I absolutely enjoy being in the spotlight, there’s one community and one event where I prefer to stay in the background. Every year, when our NSA family gathers, you’ll find me in the thick of things—immersed in the nitty-gritty details, working behind the scenes, and in the less glamorous spots, because… 1?? Instead of conveniently pointing out problems, I’ve chosen to be part of the solution. We all know the complainers, the critics, and the naysayers—and yes, I have my concerns about our industry, too. But rather than getting stuck in the negativity, I’ve committed to rolling up my sleeves and helping to create positive chang —something extraordinary—e.v.e.r.y. single time. Because at the end of the day, it’s easy to point out what’s wrong, but it takes courage, commitment, and a willingness to act to create lasting change. 2?? Like everyone else, I pay my way to attend this event, but let me tell you, even if I don’t sit in a single session, I walk away with more insights than most. The lessons I learn behind the scenes of a multi-day production make me a better speaker and a more effective partner to my clients. I’m forever grateful to the entire NSA team, including @JaimeNolan, @CandiceYork, and many more, for the unique perspective—a behind-the-scenes view of event production, logistics, and the intricacies of a convention, you simply can’t buy a ticket for. 3?? But the greatest gift of all is the friendships forged in moments of crisis, celebration, hard work, and laughter. Even in a community of thousands, I know there’s a select few I can call any time—day or night. They don’t ask about my membership status—they just show up. The experiences we’ve shared have built bonds that go beyond professional connections; they’re deeply personal and profoundly meaningful. The shared passion and commitment to our craft have created a camaraderie that transcends the usual professional boundaries. So, whether you’re in the speaking industry or another field entirely, I highly encourage you to step up, get involved, and embrace every opportunity to contribute behind the scenes. It’s in these moments of service, collaboration, and shared purpose that you can grow as an individual. Because the true magic often lies not just in the spotlight but in the collective effort of everyone who helps make progress possible. #NSAFamily #BehindTheScenes #Community #Friendship #Leadership #MakeADifference #IndustryInsights #ContinuousLearning #Teamwork #CourageToAct #PositiveChange #ProfessionalDevelopment #InspireOthers #ElevateTogether #CreateImpact #ServiceAboveSelf #BuildConnections #StrongerTogether #CommitmentToExcellence

This week's event article drop: assembling your team of superheros- erm, event crew! Among the most important aspects to orchestrating a complex event. As usual, no paywall. Give it a read and share if you find it useful. https://lnkd.in/greYwmBr

In a surprising twist, the current Chair of the Board @MeridithElliottPowell at National Speakers Association invited me onto the stage at #influence24 (or, more accurately, gently dragged me) to acknowledge my behind-the-scenes contributions. For some, this might come as a surprise, but the truth is that while I absolutely enjoy being in the spotlight, there’s one community and one event where I prefer to stay in the background. Every year, when our NSA family gathers, you’ll find me in the thick of things—immersed in the nitty-gritty details, working behind the scenes, and in the less glamorous spots, because… 1?? Instead of conveniently pointing out problems, I’ve chosen to be part of the solution. We all know the complainers, the critics, and the naysayers—and yes, I have my concerns about our industry, too. But rather than getting stuck in the negativity, I’ve committed to rolling up my sleeves and helping to create positive chang —something extraordinary—e.v.e.r.y. single time. Because at the end of the day, it’s easy to point out what’s wrong, but it takes courage, commitment, and a willingness to act to create lasting change. 2?? Like everyone else, I pay my way to attend this event, but let me tell you, even if I don’t sit in a single session, I walk away with more insights than most. The lessons I learn behind the scenes of a multi-day production make me a better speaker and a more effective partner to my clients. I’m forever grateful to the entire NSA team, including @JaimeNolan, @CandiceYork, and many more, for the unique perspective—a behind-the-scenes view of event production, logistics, and the intricacies of a convention, you simply can’t buy a ticket for. 3?? But the greatest gift of all is the friendships forged in moments of crisis, celebration, hard work, and laughter. Even in a community of thousands, I know there’s a select few I can call any time—day or night. They don’t ask about my membership status—they just show up. The experiences we’ve shared have built bonds that go beyond professional connections; they’re deeply personal and profoundly meaningful. The shared passion and commitment to our craft have created a camaraderie that transcends the usual professional boundaries. So, whether you’re in the speaking industry or another field entirely, I highly encourage you to step up, get involved, and embrace every opportunity to contribute behind the scenes. It’s in these moments of service, collaboration, and shared purpose that you can grow as an individual. Because the true magic often lies not just in the spotlight but in the collective effort of everyone who helps make progress possible. #NSAFamily #BehindTheScenes #Community #Friendship #Leadership #MakeADifference #IndustryInsights #ContinuousLearning #Teamwork #CourageToAct #PositiveChange #ProfessionalDevelopment #InspireOthers #ElevateTogether #CreateImpact #ServiceAboveSelf #BuildConnections #StrongerTogether #CommitmentToExcellence

You're on your way to an event you're interested in. You live far away and have to drive for 40 minutes on the highway. You're traveling with your business partner and halfway there, Boom— A tire bursts. After dealing with the issue and getting back on the road, You were supposed to arrive at 9 AM... it’s now 11 AM. You rush to the event location only to realize… it’s almost over. You stay for the networking, To chat a bit about what was discussed at the event and not leave empty-handed. Paco, who organized the event, comes over, and you exchange a few words, telling him what happened… And then… Paco turns to me and asks, "Enrique, do you think we could do a quick presentation? Listen to what happened to him on his way here…" Moved by your story, I make an offer: "Would you like a personal recap of what you missed?" And since we had the room for 30 more minutes, I give you a condensed version of the presentation. Here are 3 lessons from that day: ☆ Being prepared to adapt swiftly. ☆ Value every participant's time in attending your event. ☆Exceed Expectations Have you ever faced a similar challenge?