I just got home from The Special Event 2010 in New Orleans. Every time I go, I go with a different segment of the industry. This year I hung out with the planners. Funny how we all work in the same industry but all have very different points of view.

If you have not been to the TSE you have to make a serious effort to go next year. It is really a one stop shop for education, networking and the latest products and inspiration.

Networking: Just like anywhere, it is what you make of it. If you go down with a group and stick to your selves, you are missing the point. You have to reach out and make new friends. Meet for lunch, meet for coffee, talk to the speakers and get to know them. Then follow up once you get home. There isn’t any point in making connections if you don’t build on the initial meeting.

New Products: The show floor most years is a wonderland of what’s hot for the new year. Don’t just focus on your segment of the industry, look at everything. For example, this year lighted bars were everywhere. Most florists wouldn’t pay attention. Well they should because next year you are going to have to design floral decor to decorate them. Duh.

In this same vein, check out the table tops for the wedding luncheon and the tabletop competition. Some of the top creatives in the industry are given free reign to design. This will certainly give you a glimpse into where the trend for “looks” is going in the next few years.

Spoiler: think organic and woodsy.

Also a great source of inspiration is the nominees for the GALA Awards. Be sure to check out what the judges thought was hot enough to make the cut.

Education:There are so many seminars that it can be hard to figure out just which ones to attend. Here is the biggest tip I can give you; pick speakers that come from the wedding and event industry. We really are unique. Every year I sit through at least on given by a marketing guru that has no concept of our target market. Sadly, they just don’t get it. Now granted, I do marketing for a living and I am familiar with a lot of these speakers, but seriously, what they teach really has to be filtered through the lens of our unique market.

Here is another tip, get to the sessions a bit early to network with the other people in the audience. Obviously you have a common interest and as you walk out together you have something to talk about.

Probably the best reason to go is how energized you feel when you leave. Always held in January, what better way to kick off a new year than with a massive infusion of ideas and new connections?

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