Connecting On The Road Again

By Author: title iv services
Total Articles: 2
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I feel a rush of excitement when I head out for a Conference. It reminds me of when I was an NFL cheerleader and walked on the field in front of 50,000 fans every game. Each trip I take, whether it is to a conference as a vendor, visiting a client, hosting at one of our yearly Seminars or even going to a training, just knowing I will be making connections, friendships and collaborating with others is so invigorating to me.

The first day of Conferences usually have the best traffic at the booth and we get a lot of questions. I light up when I see a client I’ve only ever spoken on the phone with. It’s exciting to put a face to a name and truly connect. We hug, laugh, and enjoy bonding on a higher level.

I also have the pleasure of building strong relationships with other vendors that are also at the Conferences. We feel like we all have that special bond of being on the road, living out of hotels, dealing with time changes and delays. When we were all in lockdown, some of the vendors and I actually scheduled zoom calls with each other so we could feel some sort of normalcy. We missed seeing each other at our ...
... booths and vented to each other about our struggles of not being in front of people. It felt so good to not feel alone.

Just recently at our FAS Annual Conference I was lucky enough to head up some line dancing with clients and FAS Staff at our networking event and it was EPIC! I love seeing our clients letting loose and enjoying spending time with us on a personal level instead of all work!

I also had the pleasure of having dinner with one of our clients. When we had first spoke on the phone over 6 years ago, we connected right away. She shared a story of how her little dog had damaged her leg when her leash got caught on the door getting out of the car and needed surgery. We both cried on the phone (no lie) together. During our recent dinner we didn’t talk about work at all, instead sharing stories of our lives and laughing through it all. I am so thankful for being able to sit down and enjoy the company of a client like a true friend.

Another recent Conference we had a long-time client receive an amazing recognition called the “Star Hall of Fame Award.” It was such an honor to be there for him, listen to his acceptance speech and have him refer to FAS as being there to help him reach his goals. He was really excited that we make him feel like family and not just another customer.

I have SO many great stories, experiences, and memories from being on the road and getting to see and meet new people and current clients. Traveling is like a roll a coaster with the ups and downs. Most people see the posts of great pictures, fun places I’ve visited but with all the pros of traveling, there are definitely cons that come with it too like missing my son’s 8th grade graduation due to a cancelled flight, or waking up in the middle of the night in different hotel rooms having to go to the bathroom and thinking, where am I? But I wouldn’t change it for the World!

I was born to be out there making those true connections. When I’m asked, “do you like all that traveling, isn’t it draining?” I say, “Yes! This is what I live for!” Meeting people and making those relationships makes a world of difference when you are in sales, and it’s what I love so much! I have made true friendships with clients that will last a lifetime.

I am looking forward to 2022’s schedule and all the great experiences that will come from it! Hope to see you on the road