I have been thinking about this post for a few weeks- with Stampede season in full swing and my cowboy hat and boots at the ready, I know like many public affairs folks in Calgary this time of year, it feels like a well-worn routine. Which events should I go to this year? Do I have enough business cards? Can I actually pull off this hat?
(note, if you are not from Alberta and I have no idea what I’m talking about, brush up here and then come back! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calgary_Stampede)
For anyone working in public affairs in Calgary, Stampede season is networking season. It’s an incredible opportunity to rub elbows with elected officials, professional peers, random delightful new connections, and horses. But like any networking context, it requires a strategy- not only for effectiveness, but to protect your own energy and your poor feet in pointy cowboy boots.
The clients I have seen make the best use of Stampede know who they want to talk to and why, but also leave opportunity to make new connections and have a little fun. No elected official wants to listen to a funding proposal or a lengthy speech. Get your elevator pitch memorized, hit the key points, and then have a normal conversation. Think about making new connections just as much as talking to existing ones. Try not to fall into the trap of attending 30 different events where you talk to the same 30 people.
I also think as citizens we have the obligation to think about the wider impact of all this frenzied networking. Now more than ever, the Stampede needs to be a place for community building and inclusion. I would be wary of spending time at events with $1000 tickets and small invite lists. Not only do these events often exclude organizations like small businesses and not for profits, it might also not make sense to interact with these individuals in this format.
There is a lot to think about when it comes to your approach to Stampede season. As someone who has worked with Government ministers, senior leadership, and political candidates in their strategies for Stampeding, I can confidently say Stampede can matter if you approach it strategically and with a community mindset.
Interested in learning more? Let’s talk!
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