Every year, right around this time, I find myself thinking about my very first IFVP conference experience. I went by myself, pretty much knew nobody there, and was newly in business as a Graphic Facilitator. (I had literally opened up my business checking account a few weeks before the conference.) While I had been to a VizThink conference, I had never been to one of these sorts of conferences before, and didn’t know what to expect. After all, VizThink was a conference for visual thinkers of all types. The IFVP conference, on the other hand… what, folks were going to draw huge pictures on the ballroom walls?
Walking into that first IFVP conference was like walking into CandyLand. Here are some of the things I learned from my first conference… which I’d like to share with you as we get ready for #IFVP2013:
Pack Your Markers…
This conference is your time to doodle, play, draw, try your hand at graphic recording, and just have fun! Bringing your favorite markers will allow you to capture conference content in all of its technicolor glory! I pack markers for sketchnoting as well as my basket of markers for graphic recording. (Hey, I like my tools. And with multiple people creating multiple graphic recordings during conference sessions, you never know which markers you’ll be able to access when you do your own graphic recording!)
… but Leave Room For New Ones!
I always make sure I have room in my luggage (and cash in my pocket!) to bring back all the great markers and facilitation supplies I purchase while at the conference. The Neuland booth is one of my hands-down favorite resources at the IFVP conference. Whenever a client wants to know where I got such a cool marker/tool, odds are good I got it from Neuland. At the booth, and throughout the conference, play with markers and other facilitation tools and see which ones are right for you.
Know Your’re Not Alone
Let’s face it. when you’re the only person you know who draws ideas in real time in your neck of the woods, it’s easy to think that you’re a bit odd… not like the other folks. And yet, here is a whole conference of people who draw out big ideas all the time. In their sketchbooks, on the walls, on digital tablets, on the tablecloths even! (Side note: don’t mistake the white tablecloths for paper on the tables. In a drawing environment, it’s easy to do.) As a speaker, it’s one of the only conference where I look out and see only the tops of people’s heads… because everyone is drawing out the conversation!
This conference is your opportunity to be YOU. So bring the sketchbook. Unleash the pens. Draw forth your ideas… and celebrate those drawings and ideas with others! It’s okay… you’re with your Tribe!
Meet New People
While at my first conference, I received an email inquiry for my first “real” big project… a multi-month organizational change initiative with a health care organization. I scheduled a conference call with them for the next morning, then promptly panicked. What the heck was I going to say to them?! My background was in nonprofit management, not sales! How do I even approach that call? And what the heck should I even charge them for the project?
I went back downstairs to the conference, where IFVP members were at happy hour. I walked up to the closest table of perfect strangers, introduced myself, told them about my dilemma, and asked for their advice. They smiled, welcomed me with open arms, invited me in to their conversation, shared their wealth of insight with me… and we chatted for HOURS! By the end of the conversation we were friends, and that conversation gave me the knowledge and confidence to nail the call and close the deal the next morning.
IFVPers are a friendly bunch, so don’t be shy! Reach out, connect, make new friends. You’ll be glad you did!
Raise Your Hand
During the conference’s annual general meeting, IFVP president Rob Benn asked for volunteers to serve on the board of directors. I was sitting at a table towards the back when – and this is a moment that is burned in my memory – fellow member Lynn Carruthers turned around in her chair at the table in front of mine, looked me in the eye, and loudly whispered “Jeannel! Raise your hand!” So up my hand went. (Lynn can have that effect on people.) By the end of that meeting I (along with some truly amazing people) was a board member of the IFVP.
That one decision to raise my hand has made the most difference in my life as a visual practitioner. Not in my own personal practice, per se, but in the way I view our industry. Because I do view it as an emerging industry. Serving the IFVP provides an opportunity to make positive strides for establishing the IFVP as an industry leader. And while my service to my clients may facilitate transformations for their businesses, I view the work I do with the IFVP as my true legacy. It’s helping to lay the foundation for our future.
Whatever form it takes, however it looks for you, if you are called (literally or figuratively!) to get involved… raise your hand and do so!
And, last but not least…
Eat Protein for Breakfast
Seriously. This conference is a whirlwind of activity and excitement, and you are going to need to treat yourself well to go the distance. For me and many others who attend this conference, that includes making sure we eat some protein for breakfast… not just the pastries and coffee. After all, you’re going to be busy each day… creating sketch notes and graphic recordings of sessions, engaging in amazing conversations, making new friends, learning tons and connecting new ideas, perhaps even singing karaoke or participating in the Graphic Jam! When I’m there, I don’t want to miss a thing. So I fuel up to go the distance.
Whether it’s protein for breakfast or an afternoon workout, make sure you take good care of yourself while at the conference so you can go the distance, too!
What did you learn from your first IFVP conference? Leave a comment, I’d love to hear!
I cannot wait to see what you draw forth,
