Events: Parties? Or dire necessity?
Posted on August 28, 2017 • 4 min read • 651 words
This coming week the virtualization world will be all about VMworld. VMworld is the event for (VMware) virtualization adepts in Las Vegas. Besides the fact that VMworld is known for big announcements and a large exhibition floor, professionals also know it for its fun parties and networking events. You often hear, especially from those who don’t go or their managers, that they are only parties at VMworld and similar events. But is that so? And is that so bad?
I have been to VMworld about seven times, one of which was in America. I can tell you that it is an amazing event. You meet people who work with the same products and encounter the same problems. You run the risk of even bumping into the developers of the product. Either way, during VMworld you will gain knowledge and relationships that can keep you busy all year or longer.
When I was back, I regularly received the following comments:
- Did you have a nice holiday?
- VMworld is not work
- Did you go for the parties?
If you feel the same way, read on.
Yes, VMworld has parties
Of course there are parties. Various parties, meetings, activities and other events are organized during VMworld. Almost every supplier that means something in the market organizes a party or something else. Some even more extravagant than others. If you want to get drunk every night, that’s no problem. There are also catamaran trips at sunset and things like that.
One of the things suppliers want to say is that they thank us for their turnover, but they also want to ensure that you remember their name when you go back to work.
Yes, it’s work too
Alliances are formed during these ‘parties’, as well as new friendships. The parties are fantastic opportunities to expand your network. When you spend the evening together in a club, you know what the other person drinks. If you make it until the end of the evening, you have something in common. Especially when you’re sitting at breakfast the next morning with a face like ‘What happened last night?’ or ‘Do you hear those drums in my head as loud as I hear them?’.
Somehow a bond is created, trust is created, perhaps more than would normally happen during the sale of a product, technical meeting, etc. It is difficult to explain, but the next time you sit opposite each other again, it is just that little bit easier and more relaxing to do business with each other, or help with your project or daily operations. So, from now on we won’t call them parties anymore, but serious networking opportunities. Stop looking at it just as a party. You’re only selling yourself short with it. See it as an opportunity to get to know the other person and strengthen the relationship.
Networking is easier with a drink in your hand, but if you go too far you will pay twice. Once with your reputation and again the next morning when you’re too groggy to do or attend anything sensible.
So take it easy, stick to a beer or two, or whatever you’re drinking and then switch to something fresh. Try to remember that you have to get up at VMworld around seven in the morning and that you will certainly be busy until eleven in the evening. Do that times four and you can imagine that after VMworld you are completely devastated. That’s why we generally recommend taking Fridays off, or not planning anything exciting, so that you can recharge a bit.
So, what do you want to say?
The parties, er, networking opportunities are hard work. Point. Don’t accept that others will dismiss this as ‘another party’. For the people who are not going or have not been to VMworld: Stop teasing your colleagues so much and make sure that you are there next year.
