LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
BY LAURA SHELTON, CMP
The Art of the Connection I
hope that you were with us in May for the DATIA Annual Conference, but if not, I understand. Te reasons that I
hope you were there are many, but fore- most is the benefit of connecting. With over 700 participants, this year’s confer- ence was DATIA’s largest ever and the networking events were very busy with atendees making connections and forging new relationships. While the DATIA conference focuses
on education, oftentimes that educa- tion comes in the form of making new contacts that members can rely on for day-to-day answers to questions and situations that plague them. For example, this year every single DOT modal agency representative was at the DATIA Annual Conference and held individual sessions to meet with attendees and answer their questions. This was also the first time that many of the new modal representa- tives were able to meet their constituents face-to-face for the first time. We live in an age of digital communi-
cation, which has its purpose. Each day, DATIA management receives hundreds of emails wanting an immediate response. Many can be answered back via email, but what it most rewarding are those that require a phone call to discuss. Some nu- ances of a situation just can’t be detailed in writen words, and working with members to find solutions is very rewarding.
Yes, DATIA is here to help you, and we
will, but I get so much more satisfaction from the emails detailing how one member benefited from the experience of another member in cases of abnormal situations. Everyone is out to make their business/ company a success and sometimes collabo- ration and working with colleagues is oſten your best approach. No mater how much you spend on
normal advertising avenues, nothing can compare to face-to-face interactions. Caitlin, Adina, Kristina, and I met so many members in person during the conference that we only knew on paper or via email/phone and that made the whole conference worthwhile for each of us. In this age where everyone is so very busy and digital communication is the communication of choice, making that leap to get out there to reach people in person goes a long way in client satisfaction. So, look at your schedule and make a
priority to schedule time for more personal connections with your clients, potential cli- ents and colleagues whether it is a face-to- face meeting, phone call, or even a personal handwriten note. ❚
Best,
Laura Shelton, CMP DATIA Executive Director
6
datia focus
summer 2014
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