Hey Folks! Been a few months, but the year kicked off with a bang, and I’ve been staying pretty good and busy! That’s a great thing for business, but not so great for me having time to sit and compose blog entries, unfortunately.
So, it’s now mid-March…what has been going on with me in the world of VO???
WHAT. AN. EVENT.
I have heard from both sides…people that have attended, and will always attend (when possible)…and from those who just say “I’m not a conference person, and I don’t get much from it”. Well, after attending, I can say, without hesitation…I LOVED THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE! Just the part where you get to meet your colleagues face-to-face, instead of on computer screens, is a HUGE deal. Getting to put names to faces, shake hands, and give hugs is SUCH a big part of this business. For a second, let’s forget about all the learning and development that can take place from the open panels and the X-Sessions (paid sessions), just the networking aspect of a conference is such a huge part of growing your business. I’ve met people who have passed work to me, and other that I’ve passed work to…and others that I have now had the chance to collaborate with due simply to the fact that we met, got to share a meal, crack a joke, or have a drink together (non-alcoholic for me, though). The owner of the VO Atlanta Conference, J. Michael Collins (JMC) even said as much…and I’m paraphrasing here, but essentially stated “I’ve never made a hire based on a Zoom meeting, but I HAVE hired people that I’ve met in person, or shared a meal with.” The in-person aspect of these conferences are HUGE for your business. I can honestly say that I left feeling energized and reinvigorated, and can’t wait for next year’s VO Atlanta…AND any other conferences that I can attend outside of just this one.
By the time it was over, I had met a TON of my fellow VO colleagues, had a GREAT time with them, and eve learned a thing or two. I had some great exposure to some industry powerhouse names, such as agents and casting directors, and was even signed by a few more agents just off my interactions with them at the conference!
The highlight of my weekend, though, had to have been the chance to meet and even have a nice steak dinner with the legend, Dave Fennoy! If you don’t know this name, and you’re in the VO business, then get acquainted…quickly! What a great guy. I had hoped only to meet him and shake his hand at some point that weekend. I was beyond surprised when I ended up at a dinner with him the Saturday night of conference, along with Wendell Hollins and Bernard Tanner. It was just the 4 of us, and WOW…great conversation and a lot of helpful insight and perspective from an industry legend! We had one pic from that evening, so I have shared it below.
I really could go on and on about the awesome weekend it was, and the benefits to attending…but in all honesty, just getting out to experience it for yourself is the only way to really understand. Yes, there is a cost to all of this, but to me, I don’t see it as a “spend”, but rather an “investment”, and I can’t wait to see the ROI from this event, as I’m sure there will be!
If you’d like to see some of the action as it was unfolding, I’ve provided a few links below to some LinkedIN posts I made from the event!
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