Planner or participator: Is that really a question?
Are meeting planners among the most devoted meeting-goers, or would they rather just stay home? I was just reading this post by Seth Godin about insurance agents who don’t have insurance themselves, nonprofit workers who don’t give to charities other than their own, and waiters who don’t tip, and it made me wonder if there are any meeting planners who aren’t among the most avid meeting-goers around.
Of course, I only meet those who do go to industry conferences and events at industry conferences and events, so those I’ve spoken with at PCMA or ASAE say they wouldn’t miss the chance to learn from what their associations are doing with their events, from talking with their peers, and possibly even a nugget or two from the sessions. But what about those who don’t like to go to meetings, yet spend practically their every waking hour planning them? Do such creatures exist?
That’d be like a magazine editor who never cracked a magazine — how would you ever know what cool new things were happening?
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:04 am
Yes, I DO know of planners who don’t attend anything, ever. The rare one is that person who is so narrow in perspective that she (or he) doesn’t believe she needs to learn anything. Most, though, claim interest but blame it on “my employer won’t send me” or “pay for me” or “let me.” To which I say, Send Yourself; Pay for Yourself; Let Yourself. Seriously. I’ve paid my own way to MOST of the industry activities I’ve attended over the years. And I’d be a short-term hire for any organization that wouldn’t “let” me do something I valued so highly (that also benefits them, of course). At some point you have to own your own professionalism. Paraphrasing the famous poem: YOU are the master of your fate, YOU are the captain of your soul.
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