 At the recent February NACE Hawaii general meeting, Michael Rabe, NACE Hawaii member and President of Hawaii off-premise catering company Creations in Catering, delivered “Your NACE Investment: Are You Networking Or STILL Not Working?”, a profound presentation on the importance of networking, being involved in the associations you belong to, and why it’s so vital to your marketing in this economy. Building on the success of his original presentation six years ago, he had members examine their memberships in the organizations that members belong to, how it has (or hasn’t) impacted their marketing, and WHY.
For the benefit of those who couldn’t make it to last Tuesday’s meeting, Michael has graciously allowed his notes to be posted here on this blog for you to read and download. There are also plans for him to deliver this presentation again at another NACE Hawaii meeting sometime within the year (in town, where we hopefully will get more in attendance), and perhaps to other associations you may belong to.
Click here to view Michael’s notes for “Are You Networking or STILL Not Working?”
If you wish to have Michael Rabe speak at your next function, contact him at 521-7101.
written by NACE Hawaii Webmaster
\\ tags: advice, meeting, mike rabe, networking
NACE Hawaii had its monthly meeting last Tuesday, July 14, at the Hale Koa Hotel, and it was a good one. Group discussions on Facebook, Twitter, and traditional marketing were the topic of the day, and many great ideas were shared and developed.
In addition, Susan O’Donnell, fundraising co-chair and the owner of Aloha Wedding Planners, talked about the recent Tasty Travels fundraiser, and how it helped to benefit NACE Hawaii educational initiatives, Hawaii Meals on Wheels, and local restaurants.
The meeting had its share of fun, as guests mingled and networked after the formal program ended, and as the delicious pupu (appetizer) dinner was served.
Special thanks to the following for helping to make this event a success:
YOU
for attending and participating in Tuesday’s conversation. Your presence is very much appreciated!
written by NACE Hawaii Webmaster
\\ tags: facebook, hale koa, ideas, meeting, networking, twitter
 Just a reminder: this month’s NACE Hawaii meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 14, at the Hale Koa Hotel. Tonight’s topic is a roundtable discussion of Facebook, Twitter, and new social media & networking.
Registration & networking starts at 6pm, with the formal program beginning at 6:30pm.
Get more information on the meeting by clicking here.
We’ll see you at the meeting.
written by NACE Hawaii Webmaster
\\ tags: facebook, hale koa, meeting, networking, twitter
Last Tuesday, July 7, your NACE Hawaii board of directors met at the Hawaii Prince Hotel in Waikiki. It was a very productive meeting. The board discussed upcoming NACE Hawaii meetings to finalize the menus, speakers, topics, and audiovisual requirements. The board also spoke about the recent Tasty Travels fundraiser. Thanks to YOUR hard work, the association was able to raise enough funds to give to Meals on Wheels as well as to fund educational initiatives for members! So on behalf of the board,
Thank you!
Your kokua (help) is very much appreciated.
After the formal meeting ended, the conversations continued at the lounge in the hotel lobby, where the board shared some stories and delicious pupu (appetizers).
Thanks to Josette Murai with the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau for supplying the images in this post!
written by NACE Hawaii Webmaster
\\ tags: association, board, business, Hawaii Prince Hotel, meeting
 Your NACE Hawaii Board of Directors will be meeting this Tuesday, July 7 at the Hawaii Prince Hotel. Please meet around 6:30pm in the lobby, and you will be escorted to the meeting room by your gracious host Linda Leung.
Even if you aren’t a board member, come on down and help decide the future of your NACE Hawaii organization! Topics expected to be discussed include upcoming fundraisers, future meetings, and the program for the next general meeting on Tuesday, July 14. We would love to have your input.
Afterward, join some of us as we get together for drinks and pupu (appetizers) at the Reef Lounge in the hotel lobby.
See you at the meeting!
written by NACE Hawaii Webmaster
\\ tags: board, Hawaii Prince Hotel, meeting
 As a member of several wedding & special events industry-related associations, one of the things I constantly see are event professionals who sign up for an organization, are initially excited about being a new member…and after a while, the excitement drops off. When their one-year anniversary (and renewal date) rolls around, they tell me that it wasn’t worth the membership because they didn’t get any business from it.
So I ask them:
- Do you regularly attend the meetings?
- Do you get out of your comfort zone and network with people you don’t know?
- Do you go home once the formal program ends?
- Are you actively involved in the association?
- Are you bringing business cards to the meeting, and are you giving them out?
Many times, the common answer to the questions is “No.”
And they wonder why they didn’t get any business from the association!
Mike Rabe, NACE Hawaii member and owner of Creations in Catering, a Hawaii-based full-service catering company, once said,
"If you don’t NETWORK,
you will NOT WORK." |
Many people join associations with the mistaken notion that they will automatically get on other people’s referral lists and instantly get business. The truth is:
- REFERRALS arise from RELATIONSHIPS.
- RELATIONSHIPS need TRUST.
- TRUST takes TIME.
 Therefore, the TIME you put into networking ultimately affects the REFERRALS you get out of association membership. In other words, if you put in the time to network at the meetings & parties, you will get the referrals. But if you don’t really “work” your network, then you might as well spend your membership dues on something else because, in the end, it will be waste of your time and money.
Here are few tips to maximize your marketing potential in this association, and any other associations you may belong to:
ATTEND EVERY MEETING. This is one of the most critical and important tips for being a member…yet I know many members that take it for granted. Wedding Professionals cannot and will not refer you IF THEY DON’T KNOW YOU. And they will not know you unless you are physically there, at the meetings, making the right contacts. The four hours of networking you spend one night a month will pay off handsomely when the business begins to roll in…but it won’t happen if you are never there to make yourself known.
 GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE. At the meetings, it is really easy to hang out the whole night with people you are comfortable with. While it’s great to talk story and catch up, you can do that at other times. The whole point in being there is to make yourself known and to gain the trust of as many referrers as possible. The people currently in your “comfort zone” already love you and are probably referring you. So go meet new people you don’t really know well, strike up a conversation, and get to know them. They in turn will get to know you, and soon, after building up a rapport, they will trust you enough to add you to their referral list. But getting referrals won’t happen if you stay in your comfort zone the whole night.
STAY LATER…AFTER THE “FORMAL DINNER” ENDS. A lot of friendships are made and contacts are created later in the evening, when a majority of the guests have left. With only a handful of people remaining, it allows for very intimate small-group conversations…and an even better opportunity for other wedding professionals to get to know you on a more personal level. But getting to know other wedding professionals more personally won’t happen if you leave early.
 BECOME INVOLVED. Don’t just come for the dinner. Get involved! Join a committee! Attend the open board meetings (which generally happen the week before the general meeting) even if you aren’t a board member and offer your ideas! By showing your commitment to help the group, it creates more exposure and a positive image among other members. Consider what’s in everyone’s head as you get more involved in the organization: “Wow, if he can step up to take care of us, imagine how he will take care of our customers!” Now imagine them sending you these customers…and watch your bottom line grow. But it won’t happen if you are not involved.
BRING BUSINESS CARDS. You are meeting new people, some of them for the first time. After having a conversation, give them your card so they’ll remember you. You’ll be surprised how many people DON’T offer their business cards, and two days later, they’re forgotten. But if someone has your card and likes you, they’re definitely going to remember you when their client asks for a referral. So make sure you have business cards with you at the meetings! I always bring a full card wallet to the meetings…and I have a BOX waiting in the car, just in case…because you never know who and how many people are going to ask you for your business card.
Remember, these are simply tips to help you maximize your networking and marketing potential in this association. I hope it helps you make new friends, grow your network, and build your bottom line!
written by NACE Hawaii Webmaster
\\ tags: advice, association, business, cards, meeting, networking
Just a reminder for the following upcoming events:
NACE Hawaii Board Meeting
- Tuesday, May 5, 2009
- 6:30pm-8:30pm
- Hale Koa Hotel – Executive Conference Room (In the Ilima Tower, 3rd Floor in the Executive Office)
Whether you are a board member or not, you are invited to join us and help chart the course & direction for NACE Hawaii in the months ahead.
NACE Hawaii General Meeting
The evening’s topic will be “GORILLA Marketing”, presented by Mike Miller (sales manager, Tiki’s Grill & Bar) and Wes Zane (Co-owner, Formaggio Wine Bar & Grill). In this tight economy, come learn how to use unconventional (and inexpensive) marketing techniques to get your name out.
For more information and to RSVP, please visit
http://www.nacehawaii.com/meetings.html
For both meetings, don’t forget to bring business cards. This is a superb opportunity to network with wedding & event professionals while learning something new. Our membership is comprised of caterers, photographers, videographers, musicians, DJs, Masters of Ceremonies, attire specialists, and more.
See you at the meetings!
written by NACE Hawaii Webmaster
\\ tags: board, hale koa, meeting
Just a reminder & invitation: the next NACE Hawaii board meeting is coming up!
- The meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 5,
- from 6:30-8:30pm
- at the Executive Conference Room at the Hale Koa Hotel.
Even if you aren’t a board member, you are invited! Let your voice be heard and help the board make your association even better. We’ll see you there.
written by NACE Hawaii Webmaster
\\ tags: board, hale koa, meeting
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