NETWORKING AT LARGE EVENTS - ROUNDBALL STYLE!

So many times at big events people are rushing to get to their seat or on to the next event and not taking the time to engage others in conversation.

Well, here is a 12 hour example of the true power of networking from my time at the Final Four in Indianapolis. Try to keep up because it is a frenzy.

Within minutes of arriving at the Final Four I run into two high school coaches that I used to play against in high school, Steve Brett and Ron McBride.

Ramona Smith through my network reminded me before my trip to "congratulate" Bob Burchard the coach of Columbia College on his award. I run into he and his wife later in the day having never met him before and made the connection.

Earlier in the day I engage Bruce Pearl the coach at Tennessee in a conversation because he and my good friend John Feudo were roommates in college.

Not long after I run into a guy that looks very familiar. Instead of blowing it off I say something to him. He is Terry Futch a former basketball player at Indiana State in 1991 who I haven't seen since then. Only a few hours later I run into another Indiana State player Lasalle Thompson who runs a non-profit program for kids. I have encountered his father over the years officiating youth basketball games.

Then at lunch I begin a conversation with a young lady named Abby and her father from Dayton. Abby attends the University of Alabama and wants to be in the event planning profession. Before our conversation is over I have given her my card and will be introducing her to folks I know in higher education/athletics fields.

We get to the games and sitting next to me is Judge Clayton from Hannibel, Missouri who is good friends with the Brown family. Sitting right in front of me is Steve Alford's dad Sam and his wife. Their grandson and my son played AAU basketball together. Then just behind me is my good friend Bill Johnston from the University of Montana who I had no idea would be attending the Final Four.

MY POINT? I had no idea when coming here that all of these interactions would take place. Even when you are attending a event as a spectator you have the opportunity to network if you will just engage others in conversation.

This is a GREAT, BIG wonderful world we live in and take advantage of the truly wonderful people you have a chance to meet every day. Don't ever underestimate the power of talking to the person next to you or behind you.

ALL OF THIS INTERACTION TOOK PLACE BECAUSE I WASN'T AFRAID TO INITATE A CONVERSATION AND THEN CONNECT THE DOTS!

OH AND BY THE WAY ! GO BUTLER BULLDOGS!