My first networking event

I am ashamed to admit this, but after a year of planning then a year of trading, I had not been to one single networking event until today. Scaredy cat me. To be honest, when I first arrived and somebody very specifically asked "So, why are you here?" I just wanted to blurt out "I'm not even sure!" then run out of the restaurant. However, it was a yummy Italian restaurant and they were serving wine, so, really, I thought it best to stay. After 20 minutes of chatting and milling around, I started to have a bit of fun and relaxed enough to enjoy the conversation (thanks to the vino, no doubt!)
When it was time to sit down and eat, I somehow managed to be the absolute last person to find a seat...and that last remaining seat was at the head table (eek!) one seat away from the guest speaker, Edwina Currie! The lady sitting next to me asked to see my bags and then began to shuffle them around the tables. And lucky me, when Edwina stood up to begin her speech, she held up one of my bags and mentioned my business. At the end of her talk, I gave her a knicker bag for her upcoming trip.

The afternoon was incredibly inspiring and I did make loads of connections and have even possibly made a connection for one of my friends. It is so nice to help somebody in this crazy busy world.
I shall be attending more events in the future.

And Sparks, if you are reading this, I hope you are very proud. You were singing the praises of networking and although I thought you were a bit of a nut at the time, I now see the wisdom of your words.

Cassandra
www.geehowquaint.com