That is the plan.
I have been going to the annual NASPP Conference for 13 years, and this year, for the first time, it won’t be as an exhibitor. What am I going to do with myself? Get lost, that is what I am going to do. Wander the vendor hall looking for interesting partnership opportunities, and meet some of Equity Point’s existing partners for the first time (in person); enjoy long lunches with new and interesting people; attend these educational sessions I have heard so much about; skip some of these same educational sessions to go sit somewhere and not do anything; write a blog post about what I am seeing; go swimming. Who knows? We do have a dozen or so meetings scheduled, and it does feel good to have a little order to the day, but mostly just looking forward to running into people, and ending up wherever the day takes us.
One of my partners, Ryan Moore, and I are heading down from the Bay Area on Sunday. Mike will probably meet us on Tuesday for a while. I am sure we will talk about some of the things we would like to accomplish while we are there. And at the end of it all, just as in years before, there will be plenty to follow up on, and we will make a plan to do so. Next year, in all likelihood, we will be exhibiting again. But this year, I am really looking forward to getting lost while I am there. So if you see me, looking like I am heading to no place in particular, it is by design. Stop and say “hi”, and we will take it from there.
Have a great conference everyone!