Would You Travel 2,461.9 Miles To Connect With Your LinkedIn Network?

Quick question: would you fly across the country to spend a few days with people you only knew online?

Be honest.

It sounds a little…different, right?

Well, it was, and I did.

And I LOVED it.

When Sarah Elkins first mentioned her idea for the No Longer Virtual Conference to me, I was intrigued: what if you could meet face-to-face with those highly engaged (yet geographically distant) connections you have on LinkedIn to share ideas, stories, and experiences?

I knew she was on to something special; I could feel it in my bones. I needed to be there. In fact, I was so moved I wrote an article about it.

Sarah’s brainchild became a reality last week in Atlanta.

I’ll admit, on the flight from California I was nervous and excited all at the same time. I was eager to meet those folks I had interacted with so much, but what if…

…they didn’t like me in person?

…we didn’t connect?

…I didn’t fit in?

All of those fears subsided the minute the NLV crew came into view. Instead of awkward exchanges, I was met with smiles and hugs. And not just from those with whom I had already connected; even brand new acquaintances shared their warmth and kindness.

Our Day 1 began with master storytellers Sarah Elkins and Karthik Rajan sharing how to use your personal stories to resonate with any audience. Then service-minded leaders Chris Spurvey and Heather Younger led a session on building and maintaining customers and staff who’ll go to bat for you. The day wrapped with Dustin McKissen and John White leading a powerful workshop using stories to evoke an emotional response, and tips to maximize your presence and distribution on social media. (It was also the session that sparked my favorite hashtag ever, #StacyBrewsterBlewIt, but you’ll have to attend the next NLV to get the backstory on that one.)

And the scheduled dinner on your own that evening? That turned into nearly every attendee coming together for a group meal where we could continue the discussions. Tell me, have your ever attended a conference where that was the case?

Day 2 kicked off with the wonderful Sally McCabe discussing the importance of empathy in the age of apathy, and how we can use it to help others thrive. (And yes, we missed Mr. Anti-empathy, Trent Selbrede.) Next, Randy Bradley gathered the group into a council to explain why helping others helps us succeed in business and life. And finally, rockstar presenter and self-proclaimed neuroscience geek Melissa Hughes delighted us with her stories of Einstein’s brain and whole-brain thinking.

Before we finished, the group conducted a planning session where attendees got to witness the Zach Messler /Amy Blaschka show in action, where we read aloud the highlights of the conference. Even Thomas Jackson got in on the action, helping recite the suggestions for the next event.

I’m so, so grateful to the many presenters and my fellow attendees. Thank you for making the time for this important gathering; thank you for trusting in our collective; thank you for sharing yourselves so fully with me.

After the conference had wrapped, two thoughts came to mind:

In the fine art of facilitating deep, lasting personal connections, Sarah Elkins is a master.

and

Is it too soon to sign up for the next #NLV?

? Amy Blaschka, 2017

---

If you liked this post, please check out my others here and consider following me by clicking the "Follow" button at the top of this post.

And if this post resonated with you so much that you feel compelled to like, comment, and share it, please do — it would be much appreciated.

If you'd like to connect, please send a personalized request. Hint: make it clever. Besides, that way I can tell you're a real human and not some made up, fake profile.

---

Amy is the president of rbp consulting, a consultancy specializing in helping transform organizations in transition. When she’s not involved in some sort of makeover, you’ll find her…unhappy. She enjoys being a badass writer, playing co-ed volleyball, and pretending she has her own HGTV show. She loves traveling and spending time with her friends and family, which includes a yellow lab named Rigby. Contact Amy at rbpconsulting.org.