The Many Faces of the Business Conference Attendee

THE MANY FACES OF THE BUSINESS CONFERENCE ATTENDEE Those of us who have attended a business conference are aware of the diverse types of people present. From the gadget geek to the slick salesman, you can categorize just about everyone in the room – but the big question is, which one are you? # 1 THE SLICK SALESMAN THE TWITTER CELEB Her tweets reach millions of followers, but you He's the one you'll find in the lobby still have no clue why she's famous. You can boisterously touting his ability identify her by the throng of fans scrambling to sell ice to an Eskimo, to get a photo with her to post on Instagram. THE COMPLACENT THE KINGPIN CEO EMPLOYEE Her boss required she attend, but it's proving to be An aura of light seems to encompass this a miserable day. Not only did she sit in traffic for person as he shakes hands with his an hour and a half to get to there on time, but the googly-eyed minions. training material hardly applies to her job. She's the one playing Fruit Ninja on her iPhone. THE PICK-UP ARTIST THE WASHED-UP ROCK BAND Their days of selling out arenas are long gone He has made the personal goal of getting at and now they're taking any gig they can get, least three phone numbers by the time he even if it's "headlining" an online marketing leaves. You can spot him because he spends conference. After the concert the autograph 90 percent of the time looking at the females table is eerily quiet. around the room instead of at the speaker. THE ala I-BAG THE BUSINESS THE GADGET GEEK STUDENT His small satchel, similar to Mary Poppins' He's the happy one because not only will he get suitcase, contains an uncanny number of new extra credit, he's taking a break from his strict Top gizmos and gadgets. As the day progresses, it's Ramen diet to feast on the free scones and increasingly difficult to determine whether he is danishes. Look for the one filling a Tupperware actually using them or just showing them off. container with pastries and hot chocolate packets. 10 #1 MY NEW BUSINESS IS DETTER THAN YOURG DILLION E COUNTINO THE FAMILIAR THE NETWORKER FACE The networkers don't care too much about You've seen his face at every conference listening to the speakers or reading through you've been to, and it makes you wonder if he the material. They're there to rub shoulders has a job or just likes going to conferences. with other industry folk, promote their newest Then again, why are you going to business idea, and maybe even find a job. so many conferences? mindflash.com