How I Found My New Biz BFF

When LCT puts on a trade show, there are always a ton of “networking events.” If you really don’t understand the concept of that, it usually involves placing a lot of people in a room with free food and alcoholic beverages. Maybe the alcohol loosens you up enough to go talk to a stranger. Maybe the alcohol loosens up a stranger enough to reach out and talk to you. Either way, there are plenty of conversations going on at networking events.

Back in October, I attended the LCT Show East. I recently had changed credit card processors. Chosen Payments was recommended by the National Limousine Association in a direct mail piece. Believing in the NLA means taking its advice. I jumped ship and landed at Chosen Payments not knowing anyone there right before I left for LCT Show East in Atlantic City, N.J., on Oct. 25.
 
It was at one of these LCT East networking events that I had the opportunity to meet Sarah Vanbeek in a chance encounter in a hospitality suite. Without really knowing who she was, we decided to leave the party and hit the casino floor for a little while. It was during this time of gambling that I became aware that Sarah was my new account manager at Chosen Payments. Talk about a fluke!

During the next two days, a new friendship developed and the next thing I know, I had a new best friend.  More importantly, this time together gave us an opportunity to have deep conversation about my business needs, my goals, my concerns and as soon as we got home, Sarah got to work developing a new gift card program for me. Having the face-to-face time helped cement our relationship on a business level as well as a personal level. Sarah also arranged for me to have dinner with Jeff Brodsly, CEO of Chosen Payments. This is networking at its finest!
 
With the biggest show ever coming up in Vegas next month, make sure you take advantage of networking opportunities. It just may change the way you do business!

— Jim Luff, LCT contributing editor