Phoenix
there should be 35 - 45 girls there...at least
Will be a hell of a time! Can't wait to see you all there.
I too noticed the same in the last party, both agency and indie. I realize that it is human nature to stop and talk to the people you (meaning the ladies) already know and have something in common with, it is much easier to carry on a conversion. But the purpose of these events is to meet new potential for both.
It would be nice for the ladies to remember to mingle and introduce themselves every now and then
Looking foward to meeting many fine ladies tonight.
I experienced firsthand recently the truth of those words, allowing opportunity to pass me by at a group function because I wasn't forward enough. I am not overly outgoing by nature, and it cost me a chance at some fun.
Oh well-my choice, my loss, my lesson.
Having been to the last meet and greet of this type, as well as several others over the years, both large and small, I make a few observations-as I'm sure we all have...
People at any social event gravitate toward those they know, and even providers can be a little shy around strangers, despite their vocation. It's one thing behind closed doors, one on one, quite another to be the center of attention of several dozen total strangers, all of whom know far more about the provider than she does about them.
As we all have experienced, it is difficult under these best circumstances to meet new people, especially if you are, for lack of a better word, shy, particularly around all these stunning women.
Like me.
My advice, for the upcoming soiree, as well as anytime you attend an event where hobbiests and providers come together-get out there-whether you are the former or the latter.
I have to believe that the point of these events is exactly what you say, for hobbiests and providers to meet each other in a non sales situation they may never get the chance to have otherwise. It's certainly easier and more cost effective for agencies to cater to their small group of regulars than this.
So swallow hard, and start shaking hands. Meet hobbiests, singularly or in their little "groups", have your new hobbiest friends introduce you to their provider friends (incidentally, I have found this is a great way to get some of the burden of "verification" out of the way, and to break the ice with an agency you haven't used before). Mingle-force yourself to walk up and say "hi"....I know I have to force myself off the bar rail at these kind of things-it's a little intimidating, the "public" thing-maybe for the girls as much as if not more than some of us less outgoing guys.
I know this is advice I will try to take to heart tonight, lest I miss another opportunity to "make" a new friend.
Not a direct reply to you, or your specific question, but maybe it's helpful in some general way. It was for me, anyway-I hope I take my own advice.
For what it's worth,
JustJack