It’s 7:30 a.m. on a Thursday morning — at least it is here on the East Coast.
Normally, I would be bending over backward to ease you into the day with a few inspirational quotes or maybe even a quick how-to. But at this moment, you and I have bigger fish to fry.
Here’s the deal, folks. Early bird pricing for IMPACT Live ’18 ends on January 17 — and if you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, I’m going to need you to sit down.
You and I are going to have little chat.
Specifically, about the four reasons why you need to run — not walk — to your nearest internet browser to score your tickets to the premier event for marketing and sales leaders right now.
#1 – You Won’t Be Drowning in People
Okay, I know it’s weird to lead with a negative, but hear me out.
One of the reasons I love mega marketing events — like HubSpot’s annual INBOUND conference — is that I am surrounded by thousands and thousands of like-minded, passionate marketers, which makes it hard not to be inspired and excited about what I do.
Heck, I even spoke at INBOUND last year, which was definitely a career highlight for me. (What can I say? I like HubSpot… and I like big conferences, and I cannot lie.)
Unfortunately, this kind of scale is also why I find those week-long marketing moshpits overwhelming.
“I can do this. I can walk 5,000 miles in a single day and meet 2,423 people I won’t remember. This is fine. Everything is fine.”
Me on day 4 of INBOUND
I struggle to make the most of networking opportunities, if I even have time for them at all. Additionally, there’s so much happening, it can be hard to know where to start. I always feel like I’m missing out on something.
What struck me about IMPACT Live when I first attended last year, as a brand new member of the IMPACT team, is that it’s a marketing event with an intentional focus on creating an atmosphere that fosters learning and genuine connection.
Not only that, the attendance is intentionally capped at 500 people, and Infinity Hall (the venue) is a manageable size and easy to navigate.
Instead of running across a convention center — hoping that (a) you make that session that starts in 3 minutes, and (b) if you do make it, that it’s not terrible — your breaks are relaxing, where you can turn to your neighbor from the previous session and chat over coffee.
#2 – IMPACT Live Doesn’t Try to Be Everything to Everyone
Here’s the thing about mega marketing conferences. By definition, they aim to appeal to a wide, diverse audience. From the C-suite, down to the entry-level marketing coordinator, fresh out of college.
This is not a bad thing, because those types of conferences can be great for teams to attend together, which can benefit an entire organization, top to bottom.
On the other hand, this can lead to programming that’s scattered and not necessarily relevant to everyone.
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“Oh, so video is kind of a big deal? Wow, that’s brand new information.”
IMPACT Live is for growth-focused marketing and sales leaders. Period.
Their needs, challenges, and goals are the sole focus of every single session. We don’t just scratch the surface with our topics — we tackle and pull apart the big ideas and concepts that matter.
(And FYI, each of those sessions features a speaker from our lineup of industry rockstars.)
Finally, guess what happens when you bring together 500 like-minded marketing and sales leaders under one roof? You’re guaranteed to enjoy some seriously inspiring (and totally spontaneous) opportunities for great conversation and real, lasting connections.
#3 – You’re Going to Have Fun. Really.
I love, love, love learning. As a result, I love events that are geared toward learning and helping me grow as a marketer — it’s what I’m most passionate about.
But at the same time, I don’t want to be bored.
I hate being bored more than I hate cottage cheese. (There’s something about the texture I can’t get past — I consider it an emotional allergy.)
Sadly, some conferences are really good at teaching you a bunch of stuff, but fall woefully short in engaging their audience.
Instead, you shuffle from room to room like herded cattle, and sit through one lame PowerPoint after PowerPoint another. Yeah, you will probably absorb something you can use when you return to the office, but you’re not excited, inspired… or even mildly entertained.
I know it sounds hokey, but one of the best parts about IMPACT Live is that it’s fun.
Our IMPACT Live speakers — Bob Ruffolo, David Meerman Scott, Ann Handley, George B. Thomas, and Dharmesh Shah, to name a few — are compelling and exciting.
The intermissions feature live, musical performances. (CONNECT rocked it last year.) There are games where you get to team up with speakers and other attendees. Our Awards Banquet — where we spotlight the work of our super-talented attendees — is a total blast.
Do you have what it takes to compete in IMPACT Live Jeopardy?
Short version: You’re going to learn a ton, and you’re going to have a great time doing it.
#4 – Last (But Not Least), You’ll Learn That One Thing
Yes, you’ll be hanging out with a bunch of crazy smart marketing and sales leaders just like yourself at IMPACT Live, but we also know you’re going to arrive with your own set of unique experiences, perspectives, and obstacles.
So, while we know you’ll learn a lot from some of the best our industry has to offer, we also know that you’ll have that one “A ha!” moment.
You’ll walk away with that one thing you can do as soon as you get back to your office, which will have a significant and lasting impact on your own organization.
Bob Ruffolo’s fireside chat with Mike Volpe & Mark Roberge at IMPACT Live ’17.
Still Not Convinced?
Look, I get it. I work for IMPACT, so you probably think I’m a little biased. Well, you’d be right. I’m an IMPACTer, through and through, so no hard feelings.
That’s why you shouldn’t take my word for it. Instead, watch the recap of last year’s IMPACT Live, which was my first IMPACT Live experience.
What are you waiting for? Learn more about IMPACT Live ’18 and purchase your early bird tickets, before it’s too late.
You won’t regret it.
