I’m sure many of you have years of experience attending, participating in, and forming part of conferences, trade shows, exhibitions and events. Every industry has their staples, new ones trying to make their way into crowded calendars, all fighting for a piece of the pie. Fortunately, post-pandemic, it seems like the event business has returned, almost true to what it was pre-2020. The Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference took place in Orlando, Florida, last month. I am a firm believer that you only have one chance to make a first impression, and for me as well as many new attendees, sponsors, and speakers, it could not have been better!
Engagement has become one of the most common terms in our day to day. And no, I’m not referring to the step prior to marriage. Engagement is how we measure social media interaction across many platforms, how we have come to measure the interaction between our content and our readers. However, in this case, engagement would be the term I’d use to describe the 2024 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference in Orlando, Florida. Over two-and-half-days we had a comprehensive offering of educational sessions that saw speakers, sponsors, and attendees offer a wealth of experience, knowledge, innovative ideas, and the utmost willingness to share all of this with each other. From Ratchet+Wrench we have a debt of gratitude to so many industry professionals that give their time, knowledge, and experience with the firm goal of helping other shop owners overcome problems, implement new ideas, and ultimately become more successful.
It is impressive to see how many sessions ended up with tens of attendees standing up in full ballrooms, how the interactions with the speakers went beyond the sessions, spilling into the lobbies, networking areas, and meals. The multiple exchanges of information, phone numbers, emails, and the traditional —of a different time —business card. The eagerness of attendees for the learning experience matches the desire of the speakers and professionals to share their knowledge. One could say it was the perfect match, and a true example of engagement.
It will be a challenge to make the Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference of 2025 (which will take place in Glendale, Arizona) better than this one, but rest assured we are up for the challenge. And as for me, I’m more than grateful for the opportunity, I have some big shoes to fill. So I’ll get right to it!
