I was working an evening event for a colleague last weekend that was attended by a group of folks who had been on the floor of a large conference all day. I am sure that they were tired, their feet probably hurt and they probably wanted to get back to the hotel and just relax (or head out to a nonbusiness place and have a cocktail or ten).
When they arrived at the venue, they were greeted by an unusual site. Event staff that were laughing, excited to be there, smiling and being helpful… the attendees started to smile too, even after a long day….. this is what set the tone for the evening. Smiling people, creating smiling people who in turn met other smiling people. A good time was had by all and the event even went past its allotted time.
Smiling is contagious and can make or break an event. Imagine if a group of tired, stressed conference attendees had arrived and the event staff was not smiling, gruff and surly. It would have ruined the night and the attendee experience.
Smile, it’s your job!
