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RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL REIA MEETING
The overall feel and look of the event is also important. I remember
when I took over the REIA in St. Louis. One of the first things we
changed is the event location. The meetings took place in an Elks
Club, which required attendees to walk through a smoke filled bar
just to get to the meeting room. Even the people who smoke
complained that there was just too much smoke. There’s nothing
worse than leaving a REIA meeting and having to immediately
throw your clothes in the washing machine when you get home and
take a shower before going to bed.
Another speaker told me how he once spoke at an event where the
meeting room was inside a fitness center. While he was in the
middle of his presentation, a few of the younger guys working out in
the room next door thought it would be funny to grunt as loud as
they possibly could while using the bench press machine. As if that
weren’t enough of a distraction, eventually the grunts turned into
sexual moans that were way out of control. It may have been funny
to the two guys in the fitness center, but it was not so good for sales
that night.
Technological Considerations
Every event will require a certain level of technology. The
audio/visual equipment will need a power source, and you may want
to provide power for your attendee's devices as well. Some aspects
of an event might require internet access, so it's important to have a
secure, reliable, high-speed connection. Most modern locations will
also be able to provide wireless internet access, so you will need to
understand how their system works.
Catering
Catering will be an important thing to keep in mind for certain
events. Shorter events may have some simple refreshments—such as
cookies and coffee—that can you can easily handle on your own.
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