Unlocking Opportunities: Insider Tips for WBENC National Conference Success

Intro: [00:00:07] Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX studios. It’s time for Women in Motion. Brought to you by WBEC West. Join forces. Succeed together. Now here’s your host.

Lee Kantor: [00:00:26] Lee Kantor here with Dr. Pamela Williamson. Another episode of Women in Motion, and this is going to be a good one. It’s brought to you, as always, by WBEC West. And today’s topic is the current and past National Host committees of the WBENC National Conference are here to discuss what brought them to that role and what their businesses are. Dr. Pamela, you got quite a crowd today. Can you talk a little bit about them?

Dr. Pamela Williamson: [00:00:54] I can, Lee. Thank you for teeing it up. So last week we talked about the national conference and there were so many things to unpack. I thought I would bring two amazing women on the show today, both who have, one who was the past WBENC National Conference host committee rep for WBEC West. And the other is the current WBENC host committee rep for WBEC West. Try saying those two things.

Lee Kantor: [00:01:24] I know that’s a lot.

Dr. Pamela Williamson: [00:01:25] So I am so excited to have Marianne Ellis. She was last year’s rep for WBEC West. And we also have DeDe Van Quill, who is this year’s National Host Committee rep for WBEC West. So ladies, I’m going to ask each of you to start off by introducing yourselves and telling us a little bit about why you you chose to be a host committee representative for WBENC. And Marianne, let’s start with you as our past one.

Marianne Ellis: [00:01:55] Sure. Well, actually, I’m kind of sad going into, uh, Denver, the the WBENC West national trade show. I have to give up my crown and turn it over to DeDe. So I’m going to miss not being on the National Host Committee. It was an amazing experience. Uh, my introduction Marianne Ellis, CEO and co-founder of CEO Success Community. And this conference is perfect for us because our business is all about being the source for women and diversity business owners seeking contracts with fortune 500. So those are the buyers. Those are the individuals coming to conference to look for new suppliers that they can meet with, potentially invite to RFPs, potentially give them purchase orders. So this is a perfect trade show for our business and part of why it was created as background. I’m an expert in advertising, marketing and business coaching and RFPs. I’ve helped multiple business owners, so if you like to make money, close over $100 million in new billing growth in less than 18 months. So if you like money and you like it fast, I enjoy helping you. I also have a unique perspective. I’ve both been on the sell side where I was trying to win corporate contracts, as well as on the buy side, working with companies like Porsche 23, Andme, Panda Express, Brown-Forman, the liquor company in a $16 billion spend pool. I really this is my world and I love it. So that’s a little bit about the company. We do work for clients like we back west, so I’m very pleased to have them as a client as well as we bank uh C, PG and E, CDW and more. My last thing I would share with you or the listeners is I am thrilled to have been an Amazon number one best selling coauthor in a book, Women in Business Leading the Way, and a two time winner for WBE advocate of the year.

Marianne Ellis: [00:03:43] And WBENC back Westworld and also, um, went to the Emmys a week ago. So you can ask me who I met, and I can tell you about my green dress that malfunctioned, but that’s another time. Um, so going on to National Host Committee, it was a huge honor to do that. It was in Nashville. It was March of 2023, and I did it for three reasons. One, because I was thrilled to represent we back west. So there are 14 members on the host committee, and they represent the 14 regions of the United States. And together, this was the first time that we bank ever did this. They had one representative per region. And so I was thrilled to represent my region. We are the best in case anyone’s listening. Um, and then the second reason why I did it is visibility for the company. I think when you put your company out there in leadership positions like that, that is, it says a lot about your company, your willingness to volunteer, your willingness to help run a conference of this magnitude and size. I also did it because I wanted to create relationships across the country. I have clients from New York and Boston and Chicago. I do business consulting and coaching coast to coast now internationally. Um, but so I did that also to expand my geographic. And most of all, I did it because I just I just love WBEC West and I enjoy being a woman business owner in this group. So I will turn it over to Dede. Take my crown. Dede, you get it? Now it’s your turn. Enjoy Denver, but I’m here for you.

DeDe Van Quill: [00:05:21] Oh thank you so much. Oh my gosh, those are huge shoes to fill. Um, I don’t, uh I, I don’t even know where to start with that, but, uh, I will say I am, I am, I am, um, the owner and president of Image Projections West. We go by I w we are the largest remaining manufacturer. Remanufacturer of toner cartridges. Uh, left on US soil. Uh, everybody probably aware that manufacturing in the US, across all industries is being decimated, has been decimated and is going away. And our industry is no different. There used to be thousands of manufacturers in the US, and we are down to less than a dozen, and we are the largest remaining there is. There are others outside of the US, but I’m I’m proud to own the largest. I’m, um, really proud to be in manufacturing. There’s precious few women business owners in manufacturing or seem to be appearing, you know, out of the woodwork more and more, which I’m loving and I’m totally in support of that. Um, we attended for the first time in Nashville and it was such an amazing experience for us. The WBENC conference, uh, really opened our eyes to so many things. It, uh. I think we fed off the energy, the positive energy of everybody. There was really I I’ve been to a lot of conferences, you know, a lot of trade shows and really had never seen quite or felt quite so much positive energy on all fronts across the entire conference.

DeDe Van Quill: [00:07:00] It was really amazing for us as a group. Um, we had a great group with us, uh, just just for that alone. But we also were able to meet some clients that we, we hadn’t thought of as clients. We are business to business. We’re not retail. So it’s a little different for us. Um, but we really made some fabulous connections with with businesses we didn’t know existed. They didn’t know we existed. And I don’t think you can find that in a lot of other places, even other trade shows, because they’re usually so industry specific. So, um, that is really great for us. And I, when asked to serve on the host committee, was very excited to do so for the same reasons that Maryann did. It was it was, um, so great just to be a part and attend it, to be part of the planning committee and and hosting, especially in our own backyard. Our our facility is in Denver. This, uh, this coming conference will offer us the opportunity to give tours to some of our large customers that will be in attendance and some potential customers. We’ve never had that opportunity before, especially coming off of Covid. And lots of people still weren’t traveling. So. I just, um, though it’s just been really amazing to be involved with this group. I’ve been inspired by all the women serving on the conference panel.

Lee Kantor: [00:08:21] So now, DeDe, can you share a little bit about, um, like, what are some of the things that you’re doing in this role?

DeDe Van Quill: [00:08:31] So, um, other than, you know, um, PR and marketing, we are, um, helping to. Uh, get the word out about attending about the, the, um, the benefits that each business owner themselves can gain from just just simply attending, not even exhibiting. But, um, we are, um, offering mentorship to, to women who are just coming into the, the conference and, um.

Lee Kantor: [00:09:04] What are some of the things that you’re like hearing from the the people you’re talking to? Is this something that they aspire to go to at some point, and they just haven’t gotten around to it yet? Like, what are some of the things that they’re asking you?

DeDe Van Quill: [00:09:20] Uh, yes. So I’ve spoken to several women business owners, um, over the past couple months that, uh, hadn’t really even thought about attending because they didn’t know how they would go about, you know, setting up a booth and doing a trade show or what, what what it could accomplish for them, and just being able to share our experience from last year, being just an attendee and exhibitor, um, to now serve, serving on the host committee and getting all of the more detailed insight, information about really how much opportunity on so many different levels there is. It’s just, um, it’s been amazing to be able to share that. And I know that three of the women that I’ve spoken to have are, are now attending. When they had asked me about it, they hadn’t planned on attending.

Marianne Ellis: [00:10:06] One thing I can share with everyone that’s listening is having gone through being on National Host Committee and realizing this now. Um, it really begins. First you need to listen to your RPO leaders. So I began by listening to what doctor Pamela Williamson, what sort of her hopes and dreams, what her expectations were for the conference, because you are a representative of your region. So that’s sort of step one. If you’re on National Host Committee, step two is then you get to engage weekly with meetings with Webbank, which is the national organization. Pam Prince Isom, the CEO of the organization, is on these calls. You get a chance to meet her leadership team. And so you are there week after week. And so Deedee is going to feel this the build up. As the conference gets closer and closer, you’re hearing the decisions that are being made. You’re sharing information back because Pamela is also in with all the CEOs having their meetings. But this is now at the business owner, the WBE level. We’re sharing with all the regionals, um, reps and talking with Webbank leadership. Um, you’re also excited because you get to hear about the Webbank stars. So these are the featured business owners. So there’s a relationship between the stars and the host committee. I also learned a lot about leadership, just sitting on these calls and watching how these different National Host Committee members, you know, whether they were in DC or, you know, coming out of the South, you know, just their leadership style, how they were running things and what they were doing. Um, and then, of course, when you’re on site, you feel like the information booth. So, DeDe, prepare yourself. Someone’s going to say, yeah, we’re wondering why is it taking a while to get to lunch? And then they’re going to go, oh, well, ask DeDe. She’s on National Host Committee. So there were a lot of people that were pointing to me. That might be one part of the crown I might not miss. Um, but you really are a a concierge a bit when you’re there because you know a lot, and you can help a lot.

Lee Kantor: [00:12:10] Now, when you got into this, it sounds like Marianne, you were very strategic. Like you weren’t looking at this as, okay, I have this role. I’m going to obviously that’s table stakes to execute the role as defined. But to really wring out as much value as you can for WebEx West and yourself and your firm, you you seem to have looked at it very strategically. Can you share some of those strategic tips to really wring out the most value?

Marianne Ellis: [00:12:37] Let’s see. Do I really want to give away my secrets? Lee? I mean really? Okay, I’ll give it to you. Just to the listeners. Um. One. I made sure that we back west shined on every single one of the national calls. And I think it was really important because this Pamela, her leadership and Jamie Lomax and all the great team at we back west, you know, I was saying, and this is what we’re doing here, and I saw some of the other RPOs go, hmm, what a good idea. So I think one strategic thing that I felt was important was, you know, be a good senator, be a good Congress person, you know? So I felt like that was one sort of strategic move. And then for the company, I also wanted to make sure that the again, so I welcome everyone for going into Denver CEO Success community where booth number 1615. So write that down and come by and say hello. Um, I felt that I needed to do a good job articulating the company, what we did, how we could be of service to other business owners and other corporations. So both for who I was representing and then also having a secondary role for the company. So I felt like there was sort of two hats I was wearing.

Lee Kantor: [00:13:53] Is this helpful, DeDe?

DeDe Van Quill: [00:13:55] Oh. Tremendously helpful. Yes. And? And I’m taking notes.

Lee Kantor: [00:14:01] Now, obviously, um, protecting the brand of WBEC WEst and protecting your own brand is important. Um, what are maybe some of the benefits that, from the business owners perspective, that they may not it might not be obvious. Um, like, like you mentioned earlier, some people felt like, oh, if I have to have a booth in order to really get as much value as possible. But, um, I heard you say that just attending you can get a lot of value. So for the people who are just attending, um, any advice for them to wring out as much value as possible?

DeDe Van Quill: [00:14:37] And from my perspective, um, if if you’re attending, go with a plan. Um, but don’t be married to the plan. So go with a plan of who? Who are you looking to see and get, you know, really get in front of what is your goal when you get in front of them and be open to getting in front of people you hadn’t, or businesses you hadn’t thought of as maybe even in your demographic and and sharing with them. Because the more you share, the more connections you make, even organically, you can be connected through two other people that you spoke to, to your potentially next biggest client.

Dr. Pamela Williamson: [00:15:17] My question is, there are so many women business owners who are hesitant to go to the conference for their first time. You mentioned earlier that last year was your first conference. I’m curious if you have any advice for those people who are kind of on the fence about going or not going?

DeDe Van Quill: [00:15:38] Um, I would say I can’t imagine it not being a huge benefit to your business to attend and and to to go and exhibit or at least attend a I it again, just just feeding off the energy and and being around other women business owners gives you ideas and sparks creativity that you didn’t even know you had. But on top of that, um. It really is such a great. Um. I don’t even know how to put this cohesive. Function every. Event that I attended, it was everybody was there for the same reasons. And even if even if you were speaking to somebody who was like completely, you know, not. Within your realm of business knowledge. There was something to be gained just from those conversations and being around the energy and and picking other people’s brains for ideas, you just you can’t predict the connections you’re going to make and what that’s going to spark for your business.

Marianne Ellis: [00:16:46] I would say I was going to say going to this conference, I think is a game changer for your business. And I think you can go at multiple levels and I would say start slow, so attend, don’t Booth, then go to the next level. And Booth, you know there’s different levels of attending unless you’re ready to booth right out of the gate. Um, but I would say that what’s so important is this is a real opportunity to have conversations in a safe space. And what I mean by that is, I have a phrase in coaching that I use that’s called suspect versus prospect. Suspect is somebody that I think will do business with me. Prospect is somebody who will do business. Maybe not today. Maybe the buy cycle is two years out. But I think it’s important to have conversations about, you know, is this the right prospect for me? What are your minimum qualifications? Who’s your current incumbent? This is a chance for you to learn a lot and listen. There’s workshops. There’s other ways you can learn from. And I also think that this is a chance when you go to the different trade show booths, they’re going to tell you really quickly, are they going to grant you a capability meeting, move your company forward or not? So, you know, don’t worry about the yes and no. It’s sort of like the Harry Potter Sorting Hat. We need. You all fit into some house. We just need to figure out what the right house is, and we need to connect you so you’re not wasting your time and your money. The other thing I would say is, um, we back west and I’m not paid by Pamela does a great job, so nobody feels alone. They have a great group me app so that if someone wants to say, hey, I’m going to the Starbucks for coffee, join us, or hey, who wants to join me for dinner? Um, really? This group goes out of their way so that no one feels alone at this conference.

Lee Kantor: [00:18:39] DeDe, are you finding that is that, uh, maybe a fear that some people have that they’re going to be by themselves? They don’t know a lot of people, and they’re going to be overwhelmed because there are so many people that if you walk into that room, you feel like everybody knows everybody, and you may not know anybody. So is there an effort to, you know, help a person network and to meet some folks if they feel a little uncomfortable?

DeDe Van Quill: [00:19:03] Uh, definitely. And I will tell you, I was one of those people. I took a group of four with me to Nashville, and, um, I kind of always feel like that was always a wallflower, but, um. So I’m definitely. And, you know, I didn’t even know about the GroupMe app, so I’m, again, taking notes on that. That’s fabulous. Um, but we literally we were constantly having conversations. That’s how well-attended this conference is. We were constantly having conversations with people. You you were, um, making contacts. We we didn’t know any of the people in the booths or the attendees coming by our booth for the first two days. And we had lunch with with almost everybody in our section by the by the end of the conference, I people won’t let you feel alone. So don’t be worried about that because you won’t. You won’t get to be alone if you want to be so.

Lee Kantor: [00:19:57] Is there? Um, is there any, uh, tips, Marianne, maybe you can share on kind of maximizing your time with those enterprise level organizations to get the most out of that?

Marianne Ellis: [00:20:08] Well, the first thing I would say is, as a business owner going to conference, the whole conference organizes itself by industry group. So let me quickly for the listeners, say what those industry groups are, and then you can say, ah, that’s my those are my people. So they organize by automotive, chemical, energy, financial services, food and beverage, health care, insurance, manufacturing. Ding ding ding. There you go. DeDe manufacturing and construction, professional and technical services, retail and a few more. Travel, arts and entertainment is one group and utilities. So those are the groupings that they have for the workshops. That’s how they group all the booths together for the trade show. So all the utilities are together, all the automotives are together. So the first thing I would say is take a look and see. Where are most of your clients coming from right now? Who seems to gravitate towards your company? Who are the clients that you have? What industry are you servicing the most? And then the other tip I would give everyone is, if you’re listening, I don’t know when this airs, but we Back West does a great job, led by Jamie Lomax of a boot camp. And it’s not too late. There’s another boot boot camp session on the 1st of February. It’s all on the way Back West event website. And then I think there’s one more session, but it’s really important that you get some training before you go and that you create this plan that DeDe said. And the plan could be as simple as, what are the six companies you like to meet during the meet and greet session? There is a session on Thursday where there are round tables, and you get to pick six different corporations that you’d like to sit at their table.

Marianne Ellis: [00:21:55] There’ll be a couple of corporates and eight other WBS, and then they have 25 minute sessions where you get three minutes to introduce your company to that corporate. So at the very least, think about the six possible tables you’d like to sit at. And because like musical chairs they can fill up quickly. I always say have some extras, but pick those companies, pick those prospects, do your homework, know your company, how can you best serve, and then go and have some fun. Prepare materials. Prepare your capability statement. They may not want it, but it will give you an anchor point to speak from. Some people bring iPads you know, and speak to an iPad or others. Bring postcards that are smaller with their conference offer on it. So there’s all kinds of tips and tricks on how to do this. But I would just say, come be yourself and be open and take lots of notes and be sure to follow up. That would be the number one thing. Lee. Um, according to the National Sales Association, about 50% will go to this conference and do nothing when they get home. Don’t be that 50%. Please have a game plan for when you get back to follow up.

Dr. Pamela Williamson: [00:23:06] And Marianne, what I what I’d add is that when you talk or debrief with the corporation, or at least when I do, one of the top things that they say is people don’t follow up. They met someone great at the trade show floor. They gave them their card. They told them to give them a call and they never called them back, which is such a missed opportunity.

Marianne Ellis: [00:23:25] Yeah, it’s it at 50% is a big number. So you know what that says. Be the 50% that do.

Lee Kantor: [00:23:32] Now, how do you recommend following up. Because I know a lot of people, they go through these things. They meet a lot of people. And in their head they’re like, oh, well, I didn’t follow up right away. So now it’s weird. And they start, you know, kind of coming up with reasons not to follow up. And then days are going by. What’s an elegant way that you found to follow up if it, you know, you didn’t do it right away.

Marianne Ellis: [00:23:53] It’s never too late to follow up. One if you have a very strong product or service. Number two, I think that at the end of every conversation, discipline yourself and start practicing with your staff members before you go. Like, pretend like they’re a corporate that you want to meet with or a WBE you want to meet with in practice. But before you say goodbye, um, say I just want to confirm. Would you like me to follow up in a week, a month, six months? You know, what’s the cadence here for what you need and how? And I’ve been surprised about the how. Some have said Marianne, here’s my email address. Don’t use the info at da da da. Here’s my personal email address. You know, meaning personal company email address. Thank you. Others have said, you know what? My inbox, my email inbox is flooded. Let’s talk on LinkedIn messenger. I’ve closed contracts on LinkedIn messenger, as crazy as that sounds. And um, so I you need to listen and ask is my recommendation. Um, and really just it’s sort of. Like when you first meet a friend, you know, when do you want to get together for coffee again? And how do you want me to connect with you? So there’s multiple channels of what people want. Um, some people will actually give you their personal cell and say, text me when you send your email. I mean, that even sounds crazy, but it’s a it’s a range. And I think first and foremost ask.

Lee Kantor: [00:25:16] So you ask and you ask how? And then.

Marianne Ellis: [00:25:20] Yeah, ask and ask how did.

DeDe Van Quill: [00:25:24] Oh yeah, I totally agree. I, um, I also agree that, um, maybe even make the plan for follow up before you go to conference. So who’s going to be handling, um, what what segments or who’s going to be emailing, who’s going to be calling and divide the tasks up amongst your staff if you if you have that capability. Um, that worked really well for us last year. Um, we will do the same thing again this year. And, uh, I yeah, I can’t impress upon you enough to have a plan and be prepared, but just exactly like Marianne said.

Marianne Ellis: [00:25:58] Another way to look at it too is so some companies, they have their top ten or their top 20, depending on how many people they’re bringing to conference. That really impacts how many you can reach. But one business owner and CEO successfully said in Nashville, she made she had 38 meaningful conversations. And I thought, wow, now that’s that. That’s probably a pacesetter. But, um, there are a lot of people that say, if I have five conversations that will get me business 3 to 5, I’m thrilled. So you’re going to get a range of expectations and responses. But I would say talk to a lot, but really look for those key quality opportunities that are going to create relationships, that are going to create revenue.

Lee Kantor: [00:26:43] And it sounds like both of you agree that you just can’t go in there and think you’re going to wing this and just kind of wander around and hope you find the person with the golden ticket. You have to be strategic. You have to go in with a plan and have almost a list of people. These are the people that I would like to meet. These are the people that I must meet and then have some plan to follow up after you’ve met them.

Marianne Ellis: [00:27:07] I think that’s how you guys.

DeDe Van Quill: [00:27:10] Yeah, I totally concur. I do say though, if you’re one of those people who, like, cannot make a plan, I know one of those people and that it is also okay, especially if it’s your first time. Just go and wing it but go.

Lee Kantor: [00:27:25] Now, uh, DeDe, you mentioned going um recently for the first time. Was there something that struck you as wow, how did I not know about this or wow, I wish I would have done this before. Were there some moments that you were like, kind of just in awe of what the event is?

DeDe Van Quill: [00:27:44] Uh, absolutely. Um, one it is it is truly a major show. It is, it is a major. I I’ve attended some really big manufacturing, has some really big conferences, um, across the US, Canada and Mexico. And, and this would be considered a major show and, um, it they, they know what they’re doing. Um, I’ll say we but I again, first timer this year on the, on the host committee. They know what they’re doing. They they have planned it out super well for your success as an attendee, as an exhibitor, they they are setting this up so that everybody who comes will be successful. Um.

Lee Kantor: [00:28:23] Now, what about the just being in a room filled with women that are making things happen? Like, was that kind of inspiring for you?

DeDe Van Quill: [00:28:33] I personally totally fed off the energy in in each and every room and every event that I attended. I cannot tell you or name any other conference or trade show that I’ve ever been to that felt that way across the board and where I felt inspired and um, and sparked and incented to do more for my company and for others to help make connections for others that I met.

Marianne Ellis: [00:29:07] I loved listening how other business owners introduce their company, and that brought me a lot of joy. And it was really fun because there’s such a range of the way introductions happen. Um, some were very serious, some were with a smile, some were with a twist. And I think that there is a big part of this conference where you can be inspired, but if you open your ears, you can really listen and learn. And then there are some that are really experienced at trade shows and you can watch them. I call them the Barracudas. They hit that floor and they know exactly what they’re doing and they’re going for it. And then there are others that we’re still getting our sea legs or we’re still getting the train. We got to take the training wheels off a little more. But, um, you know, it’s very I think Deedee has the right word. It’s inspiring, you know, no matter what level you are in this. And then everyone is so kind. Especially when someone says, this is my first trade show. Everyone’s like, hug you. Okay, how can we help you? Who are you looking for? I mean, yeah, there’s some of us are competing against each other, but it really seems like that’s left at the door. There seems to be a real I don’t want to say sisterhood, but there seems to be a real spirit of. I guess it’s the webbank West Coast hook a sister up. I think that Jamie Lomax coined that phrase. It came from way back West. But there is a real spirit at the national trade show and I and it will be there in full force. I know it will in Denver.

Lee Kantor: [00:30:36] Now, we talked a lot about the networking and the business opportunities there. Um, and you mentioned kind of informal learning. What about the formal learning and the workshops and things like that? Did you find a lot of value in that?

Marianne Ellis: [00:30:51] I did, I take I always go to the workshops of the prospects I’m looking to do business with. So, um, I’ve done that’s.

Lee Kantor: [00:30:59] One of those pro tips that you just snuck in there.

Marianne Ellis: [00:31:02] And not only do you have a chance to, um, not only do you have a chance to learn more about the industry, but it’s timed nicely. So the workshops happen before the first round of trade show and before the second round of trade show, so that the first step is a workshop. So listen in and hear what your corporate prospects are saying are their pain points. What’s going on? I mean, obviously you’ve done your homework. You’ve looked at their websites, you’ve read their news, recent news before you go, but this is kind of your last check in. And then you can also quote what you just heard when you get to the trade show booth and talk about how you are part of the solution.

Lee Kantor: [00:31:42] Did you get that, DeDe? That was good stuff.

DeDe Van Quill: [00:31:45] Again. Writing notes. Oh, my gosh, I’m such a novice here, I just. I should have been picking Marianne’s brains for all these months now.

Marianne Ellis: [00:31:54] Oh, happy to help. Happy to help. I really love what I do, and so much of it comes from. And I’ve shared this story before. I would not have CEO success community had I not been working for another woman business owner. I was at the Baltimore conference. I was about to go into a matchmaker meeting with Pfizer. We wanted pharma business, and there was a woman crying on the couch, and I had a choice take the meeting with Pfizer or see what the crying woman wanted that went over to the crying woman. Her, um, her father had passed away, her mother was sick and she did not know how to do a trade show, and she certainly didn’t know how to do a matchmaker. And she had bombed hers, and she was ready to go home. And I said, no, no, no, don’t go home. Tell me about your company. So I’ll keep her information private. And a little cocktail napkin. I said, give me. We’re going to have three bullet points of what you could say about your company. And so I said three bullets and two cues, two questions. And we cleaned up her makeup. She went. And the next meeting she had with the corporate, she then had the corporate asked for a capability statement, which went on to a contract. And that’s how I pivoted into this business. So yay! Hahaha.

DeDe Van Quill: [00:33:02] Oh that’s tremendous.

Lee Kantor: [00:33:04] Now we talk a lot about the, um, the business part of this, but there’s still fun to, um, how do you kind of, um, make the fun business y or do you or do you separate and say, this is fun time and I’m not, you know, I’m not wearing my business leader hat.

Marianne Ellis: [00:33:21] Someone will throw a shoe at you. And I’m sure Pamela will agree and may want to speak to this. Um, you have got to know when to let it go. And at night, when everyone is tired and you know it’s going to be a roaring 20s night, and then there’s going to be ski lodge night, you’ve got to drop it. You know, that is not a selling opportunity. You’ve got to have fun and get to know people on a personal level. And if they ask you about your company, fine. But that’s social time and that’s fun time. And we’ve got plenty of hours on the trade show floor, plenty of hours at the meet and greet. I, you know, I’ve seen WBZ make mistakes chasing corporates in the bathrooms and, you know, stalking them. Just please, if you’re listening to this radio, please don’t do that. They’re human beings too.

Lee Kantor: [00:34:08] DeDe, is that your philosophy as well?

DeDe Van Quill: [00:34:11] Uh, yes. And I did notice that, um, in Nashville, the the functions, the after hours functions, they felt they felt they were filled with fun and had something for everyone. And it did not feel like a, you know, a corporate Christmas party even. It felt like, okay, this is time to let your hair down and and really relax and just talk to people, to talk to people.

Lee Kantor: [00:34:39] It’s all about the relationships. Right. And these are a variety of ways to build relationships with people. And there’s an appropriate way at certain times and, and not so appropriate way. So when you’re in that environment, you know, behave accordingly.

DeDe Van Quill: [00:34:54] Precisely.

Lee Kantor: [00:34:56] So, um, now, DeDe, uh, what could we all be doing to help you get more, uh, folks at this conference? What kind of help do you need from us?

DeDe Van Quill: [00:35:07] Well, I think, you know, I think just raising the awareness that it’s there, that it is it is a fabulous conference that really benefits everybody who goes attends exhibits. However they however they plan to be there. Um, but that it it. It will be, um, at least outlook changing for them. At the very least, it will change their outlook and their prospects to attend.

Lee Kantor: [00:35:33] And then, um, for your business IPP, what is that ideal client look like for you? And, um, how can we help you, um, meet more of them?

DeDe Van Quill: [00:35:43] Um, well, our ideal clients are, uh, redistributors of our product. And so we we actually have made connections through, uh, we bank at Nashville to some of them, but, um, just raising the awareness that there is a difference. And there is, uh, products like ours being remanufactured within the US and that they are more environmentally friendly because they’re not being shipped out of the country and rebrand being brought in and, and all of those great things. But that also, um, to look to support us manufacturers, um, across all industries.

Lee Kantor: [00:36:22] And Marianne, what can we help, uh, do to be helping you with CEO success community.

Marianne Ellis: [00:36:28] Mm. Okay. So there’s a corporate ask and then there is a CEO individual business owner ask. So for the CEO individual ask, I would say that, um, we are at CEO Success Community. We are on a mission. According to American Express, only 3%. The last time they did this study, um, only 3% of all women business owners get over a million. And that’s pretty small. And I think women business owners are pretty phenomenal. So part of what our coaching is, is about growth and accelerating to 20 million plus. And so I think any business owner that’s interested in growing or interested in talking to you and for the corporations, we have a lot of workshops and programs. We are absolutely thrilled that we were featured. Ceo Success Community was featured this year in the Billion dollar Roundtable Economic Global Report. For our RFP to the Win program, we are trying to help more diverse business owners, um, win and do better with RFPs. And we were sponsored by PG and E and featured by PG and E. So, um, if corporations would be willing to sponsor more business owners in our programs or business owners were interested, that’s a win win. But and and I would say at minimum come by booth 1615. If I can give you one piece of advice to help you at the conference, no charge, just to help. I’m there.

Lee Kantor: [00:37:52] And then, uh, the website.

Marianne Ellis: [00:37:55] Oh, um, CEO success community.com

Lee Kantor: [00:37:57] And your website?

DeDe Van Quill: [00:38:01] Uh, YP Usa.com good stuff.

Lee Kantor: [00:38:06] Pamela. Man, this was, uh, a lot of tips today.

Dr. Pamela Williamson: [00:38:12] It was a lot of tips.

Dr. Pamela Williamson: [00:38:13] I took a lot of notes. I hope everybody who’s listening also took some notes. But I think the one key thing for those people who haven’t attended a conference, just do it. Just go. Just experience it. Um, I loved what Marianne said around, you know, just start with a plan. And the plan doesn’t have to be complicated. It could just be as simple as, I’m going to meet three new people or three new corporations, or talk to five people. It doesn’t have to be a big, elaborate plan. But, you know, DeDe, I think you said it best when you said that if you attend, it will definitely change your outlook. So thank you guys both for joining us today.

Lee Kantor: [00:38:53] Yeah. And then so much for having us. And then the event is um, do we have the date and all that for the event somebody. Yes.

Dr. Pamela Williamson: [00:39:01] Uh, the conference this year for the Webbank National Conference, the theme is amplify. It is going to be at the Gaylord Rocky Resort and Convention Center in Denver, Colorado. It kicks off on March 19th and will end on March 20th 22nd. Just as a reminder, if you are part of the WebEx West family, we are having a pre event on March 18th, so I hope to see everyone there.

Lee Kantor: [00:39:26] Good stuff. Well, thank you all for sharing your story. You’re doing such important work and we all appreciate you.

Marianne Ellis: [00:39:34] Thanks for having us.

DeDe Van Quill: [00:39:36] Thank you.

Lee Kantor: [00:39:37] Alright, this is Lee Kantor for Doctor Pamela Pamela Williamson. We’ll see you all next time on Women in Motion.