How to Get the Most Out of the NRB Convention

This is a guest article by Lee Ann Jackson. She is an Account Executive at Ambassador Advertising Agency, a California-based agency that works hand-in-hand with more than 20 media ministries and publishing organizations to ensure good stewardship, expert production, and comprehensive outreach to their constituencies. You can visit their website, like them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter.

NRB 2013 is right around the corner! Hard as it is to believe, we'll be heading back to Nashville in just a few weeks!

No matter how many conventions you've attended, the best way to ensure that you get the most out of the NRB Convention & Exposition is to plan ahead!

1. Know Why You're Attending

For most of us, the NRB Convention is an opportunity to connect with partners in ministry. It's the one time every year we can meet face-to-face to review and strategize about ministry work for the year ahead, but more importantly, it's a time to renew and strengthen relationships.

2. Review the Schedule Beforehand

We've already had several planning meetings looking over the NRB schedule. In addition to coordinating our Hospitality Lounge activities and scheduling meetings with ministries we're privileged to serve, we're also reviewing the workshop sessions to decide who best to attend which ones.

3. Stroll the Exposition Floor and Hospitality Lounge Row

The NRB Exposition floor boasts dozens of exhibitors and vendors displaying the latest industry information and products – so make sure you carve out a block of time to peruse the floor. And, if we may suggest, take a stroll (or several!) down Hospitality Lounge row in the Convention Center area of the resort – and be sure to pop in the Ambassador Hospitality Lounge in Presidential Boardroom A to say "Hi!"

4. Network, Network, Network (Or, Fellowship, Fellowship, Fellowship!)

Introduce yourself to the people sitting near you in workshops, while eating, on the Exposition floor, in the Hospitality Lounge – wherever you can. Also, get the full list of attendees, including company names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses. This will help you continue networking (rather, "fellowshipping") after you've returned home!

5. Create a Post-Convention Action Plan

After the NRB Convention has concluded, you might be tempted to disregard those business cards you picked up and get back to the business of the day. Don't! Instead, sit down and create an action plan. Maybe this plan will involve writing a few important e-mails to reconnect with new acquaintances. Or maybe it's calling the new vendor you met in the Exposition hall. Or, maybe it's to send a thank you note to a ministry thanking them for the NRB touch point. Be sure to include Ambassador in your post-convention action plan too! You'll want to visit our website for NRB afterglow (and pictures!).

By Lee Ann Jackson
Ambassador Advertising Agency
We Connect. Ministry and Media.

P.S. Let us know your tips to maximize the NRB experience (and/or comment about ours!).

Published: Januray 31, 2013