Fall is one of my favorite times of year. Here in Wisconsin, the foliage is transitioning to beautiful reds, oranges and yellows. The temperatures are perfect for football and chili cookoffs. It’s also trade show season, which allows me to connect with my readers. 

Industry events offer a fantastic opportunity to learn about new products and trends coming down the pike, but more than that, they allow for networking. While the advancements of virtual meetups help people keep in touch, in-person interactions at live events open the door to deeper conversations and the development of more meaningful relationships. They provide an opportunity for us to nurture and grow our network of peers.  

Professionally, networking with like-minded managers helps foster growth and presents opportunity. These connections can provide support, resources, education, and potential collaborations, all of which are critical for long-term personal and professional success. 

For those who are shy about how to get started, here are a few tips: 

  • Quality Over Quantity: Aim small and vow to create at least one deep connection, then build from there. Remain open to launching lasting and authentic relationships. 

  • Prepare: Before getting to the event, prepare a few topics or questions to break the ice. Open-ended questions get conversations started, so consider “What do you enjoy most about your job?” or “What are some of your biggest departmental hurdles?”  

  • Listen More Than You Speak: People appreciate it when someone listens actively and asks thoughtful questions. It shows genuine interest and makes the interaction memorable — a foundation for a strong friendship. 

  • Follow Up: Creating a strong network is a slow burn and doesn’t happen overnight. Follow up with connections post event. This will keep the connection alive and deepen the relationship over time. 

My next chance to network with in-house cleaning facility managers nationally is at the ISSA Show in Las Vegas. There are several networking events on the schedule, but I’m especially excited about the Emerging Leader Meet-and-Greet on Tuesday, Nov. 19, and the Facility Manager Happy Hour on Wednesday, Nov. 20. Of course, I’ll also be buzzing around the event all week, so if you see me, stop and say hello and we can build our networks together. 




POSTED ON: 10/15/2024