The Big Event is here! The Commonwealth’s, and the country’s for that matter, largest agent association meeting is just about to begin. While most who attend have their routine down pat, Agency Checklists thought it might be worthwhile to discuss three tips or tricks on how to make this year’s event successful for both you, your employees and your agency.
First: Scout out the Schedule
You have paid money to attend The Big Event, now make it work for you and your agency. Make sure to look over the schedule that the MAIA has painstakingly provided for us all on its website. The best way to maximize your time and to get the most out of the event is to make sure you know when and where everything is happening.
For example, young agents could plan on attending the Big Event a couple of hours this Thursday, in order to attend the Young Agents Host: Insurance Careers (A New Kind of Job Fair) from 3:00-4:00 PM followed by the Young Agents Welcome Reception from 4:30-6:00 PM.
Attendees could also make plans on what time and what booths to visit at the Trade Show. While we admit the Exhibitors Hall can be overwhelming, all of the companies and what they do are listed on-line in the Exhibitor Manual. So before diving in, take a few minutes this week to peruse exhibitor profiles and to search out those vendors who might offer something new to your agency.
One such exhibitor, could be this publication Agency Checklists, for example. We just happen to be the first listed on the Exhibitors Manual and you can visit us this Friday or Saturday at Booth #38.
Second: Download the mobile app
The Big Event has stepped up its game this year and now offers a mobile app that anyone and everyone who plans on attending can download. With this new app, an attendee can:
- View the complete event schedule, explore all sessions, and get detailed speaker information.
- Keep your pulse on the most popular sessions and events by accessing the app’s Activity Feed which will highlight photos, ratings, comments, and more.
- Receive announcements and obtain the most up-to-date event information.
- Tap into your competitive side! Earn points and participate in the Big Event Scavenger Hunt.
- Expand your professional network and have fun by interacting with other attendees in the app.
To add even more incentive, this year anyone who downloads the app will be automatically entered into a drawing for a new iPhone 7 courtesy of the MAIA’s Young Agent Committee. Full details on the Mobile App can be found here.
Once you downloaded the app, you can then coordinate all the plans you have previously made when you scouted out the schedule (Tip#1).
Third: Tell yourself you are going to meet three new people
We are all guilty of it. Whenever we go to a social event, like a luncheon or trade show, we often gravitate to those we already know. While it is important to catch up with old friends and colleagues, it is also important to branch out and meet new people. With that said, make a promise to yourself that at this year’s Big Event you are going to meet three new people. Okay, you say, but how? Start with the following receptions:
- The Young Agents Welcome Reception on Thursday
- The Arbella Gourmet Luncheon on Friday
- Boston Software’s T.G.I.F. Reception
If parties are not your style and you haven’t met us here Agency Checklists yet, then be sure to stop by our Booth, #38, and say hello. Just by meeting us you will be 2/3 of the way to your goal!