Overview:
There were over 1900 Attendees at the Wynn Resort. Large marketplace with maybe 100 Exhibitors. Some sponsors did not exhibit and those were a little more challenging to connect with during the conference. Overall, very few masks with this group (much more prevalent with the public at large). Very high energy - lots and lots and lots of socializing.
Some various issues with the logistics, such as all of the name badge machines all went down beside one at the start and that created long lines and delays getting into the marketplace. I also found the badges difficult to identify which organizations people were connected to and hard to read the names. So I had to keep asking almost everyone. It sounds like a little thing, but the key is making these connections and making them easy as possible. This was particularly challenging after airport delays on my end and also the Wynn hotel check-in systems going down also at the same time. It was a chaotic first day for sure. But once I was in the marketplace I was off to the races.
Many thanks to @Robert Wood and @Kate Krueger for their strategic input so that I could effectively target new and old affiliates as well. It was hugely helpful and allowed me to not wander aimlessly. Every conversation had a purpose.
On a side note, I was also very disappointed in the CVent application. Especially as it related to my specific purpose. It was very hard to connect with other attendees via their app. But the sponsors had the ability to bar code you and get your info, just not the other way around. We could not connect or engage at all on the Application or even find someone's contact information unless tied to the Sponsor or if they shared it in profiles. I have the list which I will manually vet outside the app - but this was networking fail for such a large event. Most of my outreach outside of being in person (because I was trying to set up specific times to connect with people at their booths) was through LinkedIn.
Here is a summary of who I was able to connect with:
Current 90 Minds Affiliates
I did make an effort to connect in person with Tim Rodman, Shawn Slavin, and a few more- but none attended the summit. That said - I have a conference call scheduled next week with Tim and Shawn and I are in contact to connect further as well.
REPAY/APS
I was able to meet most of the Repay Team in person and further develop those relationships. I did attend their post-conference event at Top Golf which was pretty fun and I was able to spend time with other affiliates such as True Commerce and Acumatica.
Acumatica
I did make a great connection with a Customer Success Rep - Melissa Bagliano. Melissa, like me, is a strategic planner - and new - and I think maybe a good first connection for me to have.
TRUE COMMERCE
I met Gary and his team and got some good intel on past conference complaints. Gary was the first (but not the last) affiliate to say that they want an expo or marketplace set up for our entire conference. The lack of exhibiting time impacts engagement on their end considerably.
SPS COMMERCE
Great conversation with Bill Gustad. By the end of the conversation, there was an idea that stuck regarding customers on panels.
AVALARA
I was able to meet and connect with Christy Whipple and we will have a call next week.
Data Self
I was unable to connect with Joni but was able to connect with some other contacts at Data Self.
Prior 90 Minds Affiliates
ALTEC
I met with Kevin Dudovor. It was a beneficial conversation. They left 90 Minds mainly due to ROI - Cost vs. return on investment. He also indicated it is the same group of people over and over. But some time has passed and they would reconsider membership. I will be following up with Kevin soon.
FUSION
Spoke with Mike Gil and we will have a follow-up call. He was also open to renewing.
Potential Affiliates
I connected with every organization listed below. If you have comments or feedback, please let me know. I plan on following up with all of them in the coming weeks. I had fantastic conversations with all of them and all were interested in our group and membership.
Big Commerce (Sachin Wadhawan)
V-Technologies (Caroline Rua/Matt St. John)
SWK Tech (BJ O'Reilly)
Rockton (Alicia Weigel)
Velocitit (Shawn and Jeremy Burt)
Dynamic Budgets (Zubin Gidwani)
Overall, I felt it was an invaluable first step for me to make connections, gathering information and resources, and better understand the community at large. Mission Accomplished!
Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks so much!
------------------------------
Anne Sawyer
Executive Director
90 Minds, Inc.
CA
------------------------------