The Importance of Creating Meaningful Event Experiences

This month we sat down with our Director of Business Development, Ed Seiders, who has recently been reconnecting with colleagues and building new relationships at in-person events.

Our team believes in taking the time to get to know your background and what makes your business stand out. We are here to help make you feel supported and we believe that face-to-face time is key to any successful partnership. We truly value the relationships we’ve made over the years, and, to us, nothing is more important than client service. We have been successful over the last decade because of the trusting, long-standing partnerships we’ve built and nurtured.

These days when face-to-face time is so valuable, it's important to know how to make the most of the time together. Ed reflects on how to make time in-person at events meaningful.

Question 1: Tell me about the most recent events that you have recently attended as a sales team.

Ed: As a sales team we've recently attended the Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards (which we were nominated for 5 Emmy Awards), the Philadelphia 100 (where we were named #79 on the top 100 fastest-growing companies in the region list), the 2022 Lew Klein Alumni in the Media Awards at Temple University (which we created all of the awardee videos for), the Valley Forge Tourism Annual Luncheon (a long time client of ours) and the Center City Business Association Lunch with the City Leaders event featuring outgoing Jefferson Health CEO, Dr. Bruce Meyer (another client of ours). For us, it's important to continually be networking but also supporting our clients and team while doing so. Our entire business is built on relationships, so at the core of what we do is networking and creating relationships and then fostering and nurturing those relationships as we go. We truly look at our clients as partners so we're just as invested in their success as they are.

Question 2: Which speakers or conversations most stand out to you from these events? Any key takeaways?

Ed: Two speakers who stood out to me recently were Questlove and Carli Lloyd. They both spoke from a place of humility and gratitude while they reflected on all of the hard work and determination that went into making their dreams a reality. They're both trying to make the world a better place by using their skills and talents to make their communities better and help the next generations of soccer players and musicians.

Question 3: Do you have any tips or tricks for making the most out of attending events in-person?

Ed: I always try to understand who might be at the event. Will there be clients or other connections there? Are there going to be folks who don't yet know each other but who should know each other because they'd be valuable connections for each other. For me, networking is equal parts meeting new people and learning about them while telling them about us and connecting those who are there who, again, might not know each other but should. Even if someone isn't a client of mine and there's no way to bring them value with video, it's really been important to be valuable to them wherever I can, and sometimes that means connecting them with folks in my network or who I think they might benefit from knowing.

Question 4: Which events are you most looking forward to as we turn towards the end of the year?

Ed: I'm looking forward to the various end-of-year and holiday events with clients and organizations we belong to. The tourism and hospitality organizations ALWAYS know how to put on a great show! Personally, I'm looking forward to being a panelist for an online DE&I panel for Life Sciences of Pennsylvania on December 9th. And finally, but equally as important, I'm really looking forward to the team get-togethers that we at 20/20 will have for the holidays and to cap off this wonderful year of growth that we've had. It's important to be there for our clients with all of their engagements and success but also just as important to be there for our team who has worked their butts off all year to produce and deliver excellent content to our clients.

Find out where you can meet up with Ed over the next few weeks below!

Thursday, December 1

BCA "Breakfast in the Evening"
We would love a few of our partners to join us on December 1st at this signature decision-maker networking event featuring nationally renowned speakers and entertainment. Reach out to Ed Seiders  if you are interested in attending!

Wednesday, December 7

Life Sciences Pennsylvania Tell Me About Your DE&I Series
Ed Seiders will join a panel of other industry leaders discussing workplace culture, hiring practices, and managing the changing landscape of the workforce. Register for the event and say hi to Ed!

Thursday, December 8

Center City Business Association Lunch With The City’s Leaders
Join CCBA members and friends as we get to know Philadelphia's business, civic, political, and cultural leaders. This month features Dr. Keith Leaphart, CEO of Philanthropi. You can register on the CCBA website for this delicious Del Frisco’s lunch or email Ed to join as his guest.

Tuesday, December 20

Independence Business Alliance Holiday Party
This annual holiday event with the IBA is one you surely don’t want to miss! Register online and look out for Ed on the dance floor! 🕺

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