Setting
The Capitol Brewery was an ideal location for the meeting, situated right next to Union Station in Washington, DC. In addition to the Christmas decorations already in place at the restaurant, Casey Clarke had hung up several Xplor banners. The restaurant staff were very hospitable and quickly served everyone their meals and refreshments.
[back to top]Attendees
19 individuals signed in at this luncheon event representing:
- Federal Government staff
- Federal Vendor representatives
- Corporate sector
- Industry Consultants
- The American Small Business Council
Vendor representatives attended from some major government accounts: Xerox, Danka, Paradigm Solutions, H-P.
Mid Atlantic partners included Automated Online, Standard Graphics, Datalogics, Burman Consulting, Membership Associationns, and several reprsentatives from The American Small Business Council (The ASBC).
[back to top]Meeting summary
Diana Hillman, incoming Mid Altantic president, spoke about Xplor and the contents of the handout bags [see details below]. She invited attendees to come to Global/Miami conference in February 2006 and to our regional conferences in April [Annapolis] and October [Ocean City]. She promised all attendees would receive contact info on all other attendees.
Guy Timberlake, of the American Small Business Council [ASBC], spoke about the ASBC and invited attendees to join (note: government representatives have free membership in the ASBC).
Socializing/networking was a big part of our 1.5 - 2 hr. event and it went very well. Attendees made connections with government and vendor representatives. The veteran Mid Atlantic members on hand, Diana, Wilma Grant, and Casey Clarke, facilitated with introductions and their own personal interest to meet all the attendees. Diana, took a leading role in ensuring that everyone felt comfortable by asking all attendees to introduce themselves and mention a little about their agency/company. Many of those attending exchanged business cards for future reference.
Followup meetings are planned between many of the attendees. Obviously doors opened for many. Several vendor representatives were particularly interested in a large upcoming government RFP.
All in all, it was several well spent hours, before (in planning) and during the event. I think we all headed back to work, or home, comfortable in the response to our first such special event and determined that it would not be the last for this region. We each have so much knowledge and so many connections that we can share and apply to helping others if only we can spend the time with them and realize that the true value of those relationships comes back triple-fold to us. -- Wilma Grant
[back to top]Giveaways
Diana Hillman had Mid Atlantic giveaway bags ready. The bags contained colorful folders of Xplor Mid Atlantic Region and Global Conference information. Attendees also received
- a marketing flyers on the Mid Atlantic April 21-22, 2006 Conference in Annapolis, MD and conference hotel (Radisson)
- Global Conference brochure
- Mid Atlantic regional officers contact info
- a bio about our keynote speaker -- Guy Timberlake -- of the American Small Business Council.
Non member guests also received an Xplor Pocket Pal imprinted diary and a page of info about Xplor.
[back to top]Special thanks
This mini meeting format was an attempt by the Mid Atlantic Region to facilitate the exchange of ideas and networking that are the essence of Xplor. Diana Hillman, Wilma Grant, and Casey Clarke deserve special recognition for their time & efforts in arranging for the speaker, logistics, and materials for this meeting -- all in a very short timeframe, amidst their busy year-end schedules. The meeting was a success because of their diligent behind the scenes efforts!
Wilma Grant also provided the notes for this summary report. Photo credits go to Diana Hillman.
