canfitpro Official Magazine | July/August, 2023

DON’T GO TO SEE DIFFERENT THINGS, GO TO SEE THINGS DIFFERENTLY!

GLOBAL CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW EXPERIENCE

By Nathalie Plamondon-Thomas

CANFITPRO IS CELEBRATING ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY AND IT IS POSSIBLE THAT, LIKE MYSELF, YOU HAVE BEEN ATTENDING FOR A FEW DECADES ALREADY. Whether you are going for the first time or are a seasoned fit pro, with the right mindset and preparation, you can make the most of your time at the conference and come away with ideas that will benefit both you and your clients.

Mental Preparation

Attending a fitness conference can be an incredibly valuable experience for fitness professionals, and it is important to go into it with the right mindset. As the saying goes, “You don’t go to see different things, you go to see things differently.” This means that attending a conference is not just about learning the latest information, but also about approaching familiar topics in a new way and gaining fresh perspectives. Be curious and enthusiastic. What you have already seen can been experienced with different eyes. You are not the same person you were last year. Set yourself up for success by being open to hearing things differently. You will pick up on what fits your reality of today.

Say No to The Rest

It is possible that a firehose of ideas motivates you, but it can also be quite overwhelming. Be prepared to say yes to the best and no to the rest. You do not have to implement all the ideas you are given right away. See the “document” section for more on this.

Prepare

One of the most important things you can do is to set clear goals for what you hope to achieve while you are there. Are there specific topics or speakers you are interested in hearing? Are there particular networking opportunities you are hoping to take advantage of? What vendors are you hoping to meet? By setting goals in advance, you can focus your time and energy on the activities that will be most valuable to you. Carefully make your session selections and download the handouts from the canfitpro website ahead of time when available.

Stick With the Plan

Create a schedule for the conference and the tradeshow. Stick with your plan, and that includes a budget on what you want to spend and what are your “must-haves”. That being said, be open to flexibility and the amazing discoveries you will make on the spot.

Document

“Knowing and NOT doing is like not knowing at all.” Do not just passively absorb information or write down every single word you hear. Think about how you can apply what you are learning to your own work. Document the ideas that you want to implement after the conference in sections. Divide your notepad into sections or write a capital letter or color code your notes:

G: General notes for each session.

Q: Quotes you liked and want to remember.

C: Cues you liked that you want to use with your clients.

M: To-do tasks to implement right away on Monday right after the event.

F: To-do tasks that will necessitate a bit more thinking or preparation that you will implement in a few weeks/months.

S: Great ideas that you will put in a folder for someday when the timing is right.

B: Books to read.

I have found that taking photos of slides is good but to a point. I found I would never really go back to the photos. Instead, I write the one thing on the slide that I really need right now in one of the categories above. By documenting your ideas, you will have a clear record of what you learned and be better equipped to implement those ideas when you are back in your day-to-day work.

Connect

Remember the importance of networking at events. This is a terrific opportunity to meet other professionals in your field, exchange ideas, and build relationships that could be valuable in the future. Plan some specific times by contacting them in advance and set coffee dates to catch up or ask the questions you have. Introduce yourself to other attendees. Put your hand up whenever a volunteer is needed. Ask questions. Make a point of thanking the presenter and making a personal contact after each session you attend. Take a selfie with them and ask for their contact to send it to them or tag them. That will give you a way to stay in touch after. Be prepared with cards or ways to quickly exchange contact information with people you want to stay in touch with.

canfitpro Global Conference and Trade Show is fast approaching and it will be over in a blink of an eye! Maximize your event experience with a little preparation and a different approach.

Founder and CEO of the THINK Yourself® ACADEMY, Confidence Expert, and International No.1 Bestselling Author of fifteen books on wellness and empowerment, Nathalie Plamondon-Thomas combines 25 years in sales and 30 years in the fitness industry. She works with entrepreneurs who want to find confidence and clarity so they can make money by living from their passion.