Week In Review - 21 March 2014

Jack & Max

Happy birthday to Jack & Max who have turned 2 today! How do cats normally celebrate their birthday? I've got no idea what to do for them! Maybe some extra snacks?? I am open to any suggestions!

Mayor & Mayoress of Havant

This week has been great for bookings and making some new contacts. On Wednesday, 19 March I had a meeting with the Mayor & Mayoress of Havant who contacted me a couple weeks ago about performing at their upcoming charity event. After a bit of shuffling my diary, arrangements were made to meet to discuss the event. Everything is now final and I will be providing the Cabaret Show for Councillor Paul Buckley and Mrs. Jackie Buckley's 'Finale Charity Dinner' on 25 April 2014 at the Newtown House Hotel on Hayling Island. Tickets are £32 per person and the evening is in aid of Stroke Association, Combat Stress & RELATE Portsmouth & District. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact: Anne Thurlow at 02392 446152 or annie.thurlow@havant.gov.uk.

Janey Howl

On Thursday, 20 March I attended the Portsmouth Business Expo at the Portsmouth Guildhall. I have to admit, when I first walked into the exhibitors' area after collecting my name badge and goody bag, I was a bit overwhelmed with so many people vying for my attention. I wasn't feeling all that social at 9:30 in the morning so I headed to the back of the hall where it felt a bit calmer. The first exhibitors I spoke to were the lovely ladies at Wight First Aid. After visiting a few more stalls, I needed to find somewhere to sit down and organize all the business cards and flyers I had accumulated in just 30 minutes ... LOL. I went into the seminar theatre and much to my delight ran into a good friend who I hadn't seen in ages, Janey Howl! I have to admit that I was a bit hesitant about going to the seminar, but after seeing Janey's delightful face, I instantly realized why I pressed through to be there ... in order to reconnect!  It's not surprising that Janey would be at this event, because she is a dynamic business coach and is now working with The Colour Works company who are dedicated to unlocking potential!

Janey ended up coming by the house for dinner and a much needed catch-up session, then she joined me at my show with 'Mayfield' at the Wine Vaults later that evening. 

During the Expo I did manage to attend two seminars. Debbie Huxton gave a great talk about 'Big Wisdom' and being a business success!  Ian Dickson, one of the UK's leading business coaches, was a delight with infectious enthusiasm and practical tips about Mindset, Knowledge & Action.

The highlight of the expo was the speed networking session hosted by '4Networking.' During this session, we were divided into two sections and each section was divided into two rows of people facing each other. At the sound of the whistle, each person in the left side of the facing rows was first to give a 1 minute pitch to the person sitting across from them. When the whistle blew a 2nd time, it was the other person's turn. When you heard two whistles, the people on the left side moved one seat to the left and the lucky people on the right side got to remain in their seats. And then the who thing started over again. Having never been to a speed networking session before, I made the mistake of sitting on the left side. That was the longest, most exhausting hour I've ever spent talking about GME, but by the time I got to the last person (about 40 people in the room in total) I had mastered my pitch and made some very viable contacts. 

The organizers of the Expo, Memo Events & Exhibitions, will also be hosting the West Sussex Business Expo 8 May at Butlins Conference Center. I'm looking forward to attending this expo as well, and I promise you I will make sure I'm sitting on the 'right' side for their speed networking session!!

I had a fantastic gig with Mayfield at the Wine Vaults last night and it was great to see so many familiar faces and loads of new ones too.  On Saturday, 22 March I'm singing at a wedding reception in Fareham in the afternoon and then finishing off the night rockin' it out with my party band, Move On Up at The Alma Arms in Portsmouth! Then on Sunday I'm heading to the Isle of Wight to visit the in-laws and have a lazy afternoon with the hubs!  I am soooooo looking forward to that!

Well, that's it for now. Have a great weekend!