What If Your Association Conference Included a Skills Competition?
Greg Hawks
Keynote Speaker + Culture Specialist + Hawks Agency Owner | 160+ Recommendations | Ownership Culture Unlocks Performance! | Are you an Owner, Renter or Vandal? | #OwnershipCulture #OwnershipMindset #LoveObstacles
This past week, I had the privilege of speaking at the ABC Convention in Long Beach. It was a year of re-imaging how they wanted to bring their members together. From what I can tell, they succeeded on many fronts.
One of the cooler elements that, from what I understand, has always been a part of their gatherings was an ongoing competition during the convention. ABC is Associated Builders & Contractors. Their members play a role in every aspect of construction. At the convention, they set up the ginormous exhibit hall as a competitive center. From welders to carpentry to HVAC to plumbing to a whole lot more...
I loved it. I love the idea of it. They were judged and then awarded winners at the evening gala. I haven't seen any other association attempt such a feat. Which of course got me thinking...
... What if HR Professionals gathered at their SHRM Conferences and showed off their HR Skills, against one another! From recruiting to on-boarding to benefits to training - what if they publicly exhibited their chops in these and other disciplines?
... What if when Association Professionals got together at ASAE Conferences they too went head to head on growing memberships, working with boards, creating a fundraiser plan, implementing technology and so forth?
... What if when Event Professionals arrived at an MPI Conference they were tasked in a contest of contracting venues, implementing registration software, booking speakers, etc?
... What if when DMC Professionals attended ADMEI they were thrust into a race to coordinate transportation, select food, secure production, find VIP rooms and so on?
... What if when speakers showed up at an NSA Conference they too engaged in a healthy competition? Hosting a panel, creating thought-leadership content, demonstrating story-telling, developing a proposal and other goodies associated in the speaking biz?
... And then they were all judged and awarded accordingly? I know it's impractical in most situations. However, the energy it creates at a conference is palpable. The visible support other team members offer is compelling. The demonstration of skills is impressive. The overall involvement is strong!
With many conferences looking for ways to increase engagement, may I suggest implementing a competition. It will certainly set you and your conference apart!
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Manager at LegalShield, Independent Associate
6 年. Sharing this information Wayne Hart
Director, Executive Office & Administration
6 年So glad you were able to attend our Convention, it was a great week, and our National Craft Competitors all brought their A game! #ABC #NCC #meritshopproud
Director, Membership at Associated Builders and Contractors
6 年It truly is an amazing conference! State Chapters have training programs and the best trainees are sent to Nationals. I represent the Illinois Chapter, which sent a competitor in “Industrial Electrical”. I had an amazing week in Long Beach and am glad that you found value in our mission to protect the merit shop contractors! #abcmeritshopproud
Knowledge Broker, Digital Course Creator, Consultant and Professional Speaker
6 年The National Apartment Association does this every year only it's not quite this big. They get the maintenance techs from all of the apartments in teams and they compete on a variety of skill tasks. It's very fun and very competitive.