Are You Ready to Get Back to Business Travel?

This week, for the first time since ... well, since early 2020, I'm heading off to attend and speak at an in-person event.

I'm presenting a 'research sprint' on Four AI Trends Transforming Marketing and PR at the Institute for Public Relations Bridge Conference in Washington, DC. It's a great annual gathering that bridges the latest research and thinking from PR academics and practitioners.

And I'm thrilled to get outside my home-office comfort zone.

But I don't mind saying I'm also a bit nervous about the whole process involved in business travel and interacting with lots of people in a professional setting.

Not to mention navigating security and crossing an international border.

This was second nature to me in the 'before' times. Now, it feels like I have to figure it all out from scratch.

Which has benefits and challenges.

Here's what's been going through my head.

I wonder ...

• How an in-person talk will change my pace and energy level, which has been carefully honed to Zoom timing.
• If my Covid mask is too intense, and whether I should wear white, pale blue or a dark colour to match my jacket.
• Will I remember how to make small talk with people waiting in line for a coffee?
• Do I participate in the social events or beetle away to my room? And if I do take part, when is it appropriate to remove my mask?
• What do I do if someone puts their hand out for me to shake it. Should I reciprocate or default to fist or elbow bump?
• How much (if any) of the experience do I share on social?

I realize these may seem like silly considerations, but there's no book of post-Covid event etiquette book to consult.

Jump Into the Fire

Of course, I realize many of the other participants are probably having the same pre-event jitters as me. And that's a bit of a comfort.

In a way, we're all newbies again with an opportunity to reset our professional lives.

It's not going to happen overnight. And there will be lots of fits and starts. Conversations that fizzle out. Looks of discomfort. And many, many gaffes.

That's OK. Provided we adjust our attitudes by:

1. Realizing in-person events are never going to be the same. They're in reinvention mode and will likely keep their hybrid formats. And as the tech develops, they'll probably add immersive virtual or augmented reality and AI assistants. Be open to the change.
2. Adopting a more forgiving attitude. Things may not run as smoothly as they used to. And you can fall back on the rules of improv by going with the flow and saying yes, and...
3. Putting away your judgemental tendencies (tough to do, I know). That means being more empathetic, even to the people who accidentally cut in front of you in the coffee line. Give people a break and hopefully they'll give you one, too.
4. Embracing uncertainty and surprise. That means adopting a scientist's attitude, testing, learning, adjusting and adapting. In many ways, this is straight from the digital marketers and communicators playbook. At least you're familiar with that.

Look, it's going to be bit of a roller coaster of a ride for all of us.

But it's also a chance to stake out fresh ground.

Reinvent or rediscover your interests and passions. How you think and express yourself. And become a leader.

Where You Lead ... I Will Follow

Which brings us to today's video. It's about leadership, or more specifically thought leadership. As in how to become a subject matter expert and the benefits that can bring to your organization or personal brand.

How do you decide what topics to focus on? Where do you share your knowledge and expertise in a way that's helpful and not too self-promotional?

Check it out and let me know your ... um ... thoughts.

All My Bags Are Packed

I started out talking about an upcoming conference I'm attending.

And I'm cautiously optimistic that this summer will be the one when I'll begin emerging from my virtual shell.

I'm excited to tell you I'll be teaching a Digital and Social Media Strategy class at my alma mater, McMaster-Newhouse Master of Communications Management . I've written about the program before and going back and doing my master's there was one of the best professional decisions I ever made. It was a gift to be able to sit back, listen and ask questions. And it helped me rethink and reinvent what I do. So if you're considering taking the next step in your academic learning journey, I highly recommend the program. And I'm looking forward to meeting everyone at the in-person residency in June.

And right after that, I'll be heading to New York in late June to speak at the Syracuse Newhouse School of Public Communications Alumni event. And reconnect with old friends and colleagues.

It does feel pretty, pretty good getting back.

Connect With Martin

And now it's time to pack up issue #54.

Have you begun to get back to life and business travel? What are you excited about and what's holding you back? Are you going to be making any changes to your business travel routine? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

You may have noticed I'm publishing this issue on a Monday morning, rather than on the weekend. I'm doing some tests to try to figure out the best time to release the newsletter. Stay tuned ...

Be sure to reach out if you have questions about any of the videos in Digital Marketing Trends, or my other?LinkedIn Learning courses .

And if you want to find me, follow me on?LinkedIn ?or?Twitter .

Or visit?my?my website ?and send a message or a question.

And speaking of ideas, if you've got any you'd like me to cover in my next newsletter, be sure to send them my way.

Thank you again for reading and subscribing!

And now, I have to start polishing my shoes and picking out my conference attire. See you in a couple of weeks. And remember to add your thoughts in the comments??.