How many new people can you meet?
A week ago Sunday, I traveled to a large national convention where I knew almost no one. By the closing dinner Friday, that was no longer true.
That took effort, pushing myself to meet new people. In nearly every case, the effort proved worthwhile.
While this wasn’t a writers conference, it felt much the same. The first question around meal tables was different, as this was the national convention of the Model A Ford Club of America. Instead of “What are you writing?” people asked “What do you drive?” The goal was the same: to break the ice in meeting someone new.
But first I had to muster the courage to seek out people I’d not yet met. If I arrived at the hotel’s cafe at the same time as others with a conference badge, I’d try to strike up a conversation, then see if I could join them. Or I’d look for a table with an empty seat where the people had not yet been served.
A few times I ate with people I already knew, but I made that the exception. We already knew each others’ stories. Why waste the opportunity of a gathering of hundreds of likeminded people I’d not yet met?
I learned a lot from the new people with whom I spoke. I hope they can say the same.
This week as they receive the next issue of the magazine I edit for them, I hope they’ll feel a greater connection with the guy pictured on the editor’s page. A conference connection is only the first step. But once you take it, who knows what good things may follow.
