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Maybe next year?

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Sorry it’s been a few weeks since I posted a blog – maybe next year I’ll be more organised and focused! In my defence, there has been a lot going on behind the scenes!

In fairness, I have been busy writing my weekly “Love, Laughter & Happily Ever After” emails which has now been running for 11 weeks – if you want to receive it please email paul@thepartydj.co.uk – and there have been lots of meetings and work going on behind the scenes.

Normally at this time of year I go to the ProMobile Conference to recharge my batteries and find my focus for the year ahead. This year the Conference is “resting” to come back bigger and better in 2018. Of course back in April I attended and spoke at The ‘DJ Think Tank’ (click here to see my previous blog) and since them I’ve had a few ideas forming. Last week I met with Deon, my website designer, from Deon Design (click here) to run through a few things and, even as I write this blog, messages are going back and forth between us on developing and changing my site.

You may know that I’m a member of Toastmasters International, the Worldwide organisation set up to help people become more effective communicators and leaders. Last weekend the Toastmasters International District 91 (UK South) Spring Conference was held in Southampton so I took the weekend off to attend. The theme for the Conference was “The Mayflower ~ Discovering New Worlds” and the delegates were encouraged to follow in the steps of the Pilgrim Fathers and step out of our comfort zones and embrace change.

Among the speakers were Mike Storkey, the International President of TMI, who was born in Wales but emigrated to Australia many years ago and Jamaican born American Mark Brown who is a former World Champion of Public Speaking and is an Emmy Award nominated inspirational speaker. These two gentlemen were great examples of what can be achieved with the help of Toastmasters International. There were also many excellent workshops and presentations and I came away full of great ideas having made many new friends. To be honest, the only thing that disappointed me about the Conference was that more people didn’t take the opportunity to attend. It was local to me this time, just 5 miles down the road, but I got a lot from it so maybe next year I’ll go again.

If you’d like to find out more about Toastmasters International and how they can help you with public speaking, please let me know and I’ll tell you all about it.

So, I have some new ideas that I’m working on. I’ll be honest, a few things are really frustrating and sometimes even annoying me at the moment and you may get a blog on some of these in the coming weeks, but more importantly …
Coming soon, some great new stuff to help couples make the most of their wedding day – stay tuned 😉

Maybe next year I WILL be EVEN MORE organised and focused!

ProMobile Conference 2013 ~ Part 2

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The other main speaker on the Sunday was Alex MacLaren who is professional actor, improviser and trainer who gave us a couple of really excellent sessions under the title “Insights from Improvisation”.

On the Sunday evening there was the Gala Diner in the Crowne Plaza’s ballroom. I have to say, the food and service throughout my stay was fantastic and this meal was no exception. Later in the evening we were entertained by Amy Housewine and a very good mind reader whose name escapes me, but the highlight was the presentation of a Life Time Achievement Award to my good friend and coach Derek Pengelly. Eddie made the award which was greeted with a standing ovation.

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After the Diner we moved to the bar where this picture of Jim Cerone and The Party Hosts was taken.
Jim Cerone & The Party Hosts

Monday started with a networking breakfast at 7:30am. The whole day was filled with excellent sessions including one with Derek on marketing. The final session ended at around 6pm and we all adjourned for one last cuppa and our goodbyes, the atmosphere was a fascinating mix of emotions – sadness, joy, excitement and many, many more from a group of about 100 people who all shared and contributed in something very special.

Two days full of challenging training,great conversation and networking – so much to think about and, as I type this a week later, so many ideas to develop and implement – where will I find the time!

This was the first ProMobile Conference, two days that, I believe, have changed the UK mobile industry for good. I look forward to next years event and charting the progress that we will make in the time between. Thank you Eddie, Mark and everyone who played a part.

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