33 Featured Disruptor Were there any unexpected surprises or spontaneous moments during the road trip that stood out to you? How did you handle them and keep the flow going? We had a schedule of activities planned, and as we rolled through them, a few riders were inspired to add their expertise or show off one of their talents. For instance, Bailey Kasten makes chocolate, and she taught us all about chocolate as we tasted delicious samples during the ride. While riders attempted to free themselves of their zip ties, Joanna Pineda approached me and asked if she could share some basic self-defense moves. And Ben Rome asked if he could share some stories about American Indian folklore. These additions made the trip even more unique. With events, you have to be flexible and plan for the unexpected. For instance, I purchased a second trunk, which I filled with other activities in case we overestimated the time it would take to complete the ones on the official itinerary. (We didn’t need them.) We could also hit traffic and related delays, which almost always happen these days. If that had occurred, I planned to turn the setback into a “Traffic Jam Session” where participants could share their best crisis management stories. I was almost disappointed that we stayed on schedule and did not need any of these backup plans. How did you balance creating a fun experience with also offering opportunities for networking and professional growth for those on the bus? The activities provided a platform for the association executives to get to know others in a unique and unfiltered manner. Association professionals tend to have busy schedules and varying interests. How did you ensure the activities you planned were flexible enough to cater to everyone? After the introductions, I kicked it into high gear by telling the group I wanted them to leave the bus with new skills. I then presented zip ties and how to unlock them with a bobby pin—you know—in case you are ever tied up and need to escape. This activity produced a lot of laughs, but they also took it seriously because, deep down, most of us have seen those situations in movies and wondered what we would do. Several riders showed me where they kept their bobby pin “just in case.” I created math word problems using funny or bizarre scenarios. That’s right. Math! To make it fun for the people who don’t stare at spreadsheets all day, I paired it with a creative question for the rest of the team to work on. So they would pass the word problem off to the math nerd(s) on their team while the remaining members created ridiculous answers for the other question. Both sections earned points, which were added to the group total at the end of the ride. We had a debate—not a political one, but one that showcased society’s need to discuss opposing points of view and still be friends afterward. One of the debate topics that produced loud belly laughs was “Kissing is better for a human than chocolate.” The Hot Cocoas and the Mistle Toads went at it, and their points had people in stitches. What were some of the highlights or standout moments for you during the trip that you think best captured the spirit of the Association Chat community? I loved seeing people laugh and smile. The most frequent comment was, “That time flew! I can’t believe we are in Cleveland already!” Finally, what advice would you give to someone looking to craft a similarly engaging experience for professionals, whether on a bus or elsewhere? What are the key ingredients to making it both fun and meaningful? Advice for Crafting Engaging Experiences 1. Critical ingredients for a successful and interesting event like this include: 2. Know your audience and what they collectively enjoy or dislike. 3. Mix in flexibility and choice. For instance, many people love karaoke or trivia but give people a choice to do something else. 4. Create opportunities for both structured and organic interactions. People have lost the art of conversation and often need help getting started. 5. Incorporate elements of surprise and delight. 6. Look for little ways to be different—starting with introductions. 7. Ensure comfort and basic needs are met. This includes playing music at a level where people don’t have to scream at each other to be heard. This is a networking event, right? 8. Foster a welcoming atmosphere so people want to return to your next event. 9. Activities should be tied back to professional relevance, especially when they are fun. People often need to be reminded that “fun isn’t frivolous”—creativity and laughter bring people together, boost innovation and productivity, and reduce stress and tension. We definitely need more of that! 10.Be prepared to adapt on the fly.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Nzc3ODM=