The Road to Miami: Prepping for Catersource: How to Make the Most Out of Attending

As we approach the week before our long-awaited (co-located!) TSE & Catersource conference, we want to take a deep breath and consider a few things before we pack our bags. For many of us, this will be the first time we see each other in person since March 2020, and the pandemic hit all of us very hard, to say the least.

That said, the industry has been opening its doors, businesses have been busier than ever. I can’t stress enough that we need to really take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to return to education and networking face-to-face.

Consider which chapter you’re on in business

Where are you at right now in your own business? What are your short-term and long-term goals? Think about where you’re currently standing and which steps should be taken moving forward. Everything has changed, so let’s bear that in mind when maximizing your conference attendance.

Deep-dive into what you’d like to accomplish this coming week in Miami. 2022 might seem like it’s eons away, but in reality, COVID taught us that businesses should be prepped and ready to go at every turn. What do you hope to get out of these sessions and interactions?

Who are you going to see?

Most importantly of all, you’ll want to prep for education! Make the schedule easily accessible on your phone or laptop - notate any days, times, and room numbers for the sessions you really want to see. And don’t forget the tradeshow floor!

“Before you go, set up files — whether it’s digital or paper with these headers: education, culinary, networking, inspiration, and tradeshow,” urges Meryl Snow of Feastivities Events. “At the end of each day before you go out to dinner, organize your notes. You’ll be happy you did when you return to your working life.”

Networking 101

For some of us, it might feel like we’re starting from scratch when it comes to networking in person again. It’s crucial that you approach this with some slight caution because the fact of the matter is that some people have experienced losses and/or drastic changes throughout the past year. Scope some of your colleagues out on social media to see who will be in attendance and better yet, who may have a new company or title.

Don’t forget to keep everything updated on your end as well! “It always amazes me how many people don’t bring business cards as attendees,” says Alan Berg of Wedding Business Solutions, LLC. “You never know who will be sitting next to you in a session or at a meal or event. Whether it’s just a good connection or someone who can refer you, always be prepared with business cards.”

Your packing list

While Miami is going to be a breath of fresh air, it should still require some due diligence in regards to your packing. For example, Berg adds: “Portable phone chargers are a must as your phone uses more battery when searching for a signal, which is common in convention halls. Lastly, don’t underestimate how much you’ll be walking, so have comfortable shoes and maybe something to eat and drink.”

If you’re looking for something a little more hands-off to share with your peers, try Popl - a digital business card that houses all of your information in one place, as opposed to a business card that can easily be lost in the shuffle (or even outdated). This helps you stay connected, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you can easily update it as we ride the wave of some considerable career changes.

Lastly, we want to understand that everyone’s comfort level may not be the same. Remember to pack additional masks and hand sanitizer as necessary, and don’t be afraid to go without the handshakes this go-round.

Have fun!

Yes, we’ll all be working throughout the conference and getting back into the swing of things, but don’t be afraid to enjoy yourself. Get into the spirit, book some group dinners as availability allows, and take this time away to really connect with everyone you’ve only seen via Zoom for the past year and some change.