If you were one of the numerous attendees of The Signature CEO Conference 2020 – Virtual Experience, you were a part of history in the making! Although I was faced with the challenge of re-aligning to a virtual event in the midst of a global pandemic that gripped the event industry, the “socially distant” world we currently live in did not discourage me. While I missed connecting face-to-face with industry colleagues, I am pleased to share, the 5th annual event was a resounding success!
The 3-day, content-rich agenda was packed with a plethora of multifaceted topics. From marketing best practices to the latest in technology, and health and wellness, there were insights, strategies, and inspiration for everyone to accelerate their business’ impact – with ample opportunities to create long-lasting connections.
The 2020 theme “Mission Possible” not only set the tone – it raised the stakes!
Attendees radically shifted their mindsets toward reaching their highest potential, by shedding limiting beliefs and re-imagining what is possible for their personal and professional lives.
The slogan: “Aspire. Lead. Impact.” encapsulated the conference’s guiding ideals. These three concepts reminded attendees to always consider the impact of their work in terms of the legacy it leaves behind and the positive implications it will have on their sphere of influence.
If you are like most of our conference attendees, you were too engrossed in the experience to fully take notes. With all the game-changing gems that were dropping, who had time? You were immersed in the sessions, live-chatting, sharing on social, catching up with old friends, networking to make new connections – and maybe even presenting? With 18+ hours of game-changing content, and over 20 fascinating speakers, sessions and activities, there was a great deal of information to absorb.
We created a 3-part blog series, to fully explore memorable moments from each day, and enable you to further ruminate, contemplate and process the multitude of ideas and concepts still buzzing in your head.
Enjoy re-living the experience! Reflect and Reminisce!
DAY ONE – ASPIRE: To direct one’s hopes and ambitions toward achieving a transformative goal for their lives, in the highest pursuit.
With a full agenda of energizing topics awaiting attendees on Monday morning, I kicked off day one to the tune of the iconic theme music from the movie, Mission Impossible. I can still hear each sharp percussive blast of brass and woodwind sounding like a charging step to get everyone pumped up!
Emcee DJ Derron of Washington Talent Agency and co-host, Marilyn Patterson of Joyous Events welcomed everyone with bright smiles and cheerful greetings.
Marilyn’s opening remarks invigorated the audience, “If you have vision, passion and hope, you are in the right place today! We are here to stimulate, elevate and activate our professional posture. We experienced a shift in the venue, but not the VISION!”
Next, I shared a heartfelt yet energizing opening keynote. I stood poised behind a sleek, acrylic podium within my home; elegantly transformed for the momentous occasion with luxe drapery and stylish balloons furnished by Fabrication Events and Anelia Rose.
The behind-the-scenes tech team, Jazmine Peaters of Jazmine Karess Events and Christina Galloway of Galloway Event Services ensured we were ready to launch without a hitch. And, the media team, Ana Isabel Photography and Capital Films DC, were in position to capture every exciting moment along the way!
“We finally made it!” my face beamed, full of enthusiasm, joy and gratitude. My next remark, “Every next level of your business demands a different you,” was the perfect motivation for what was in store for the 3 riveting days that lay ahead.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM DAY ONE SPEAKERS:
Speaker, Beny Blaq, Founder of Rebel Fit USA
Topic: “Be the CEO of Your Own Body”
⇨Key Takeaway: “Mindset is the Key to success! You can’t pour from an empty cup. When you are living a healthier lifestyle, you’ll have more energy and focus to do your best work.”
Beny Blaq’s whole-body plan inspired attendees to be more proactive and take greater charge of their lives.
He motivated attendees to set and achieve their goals, whether they were focused on losing weight, becoming physically fit, or simply living their best life possible!
Speaker, Tara McMullin, Founder of What Works and YellowHouse Media Topic: “Manually Managing Projects, Goals and Tasks to Create Habit & Take Ownership”
⇨Key Takeaway: “What is Ownership? Ownership is taking responsibility for how you show up, how you spend your time, and how you lead.”
Tara’s mic-dropping gem,“Vision is a filter for decision-making.” Those words resonated with our attendees, through two overarching questions that were explored:
- What is the vision for your business/life?
- Who are you becoming?
Next up was an electrifying live performance by Perfekt Blend Band. They raised the roof – and the energy in the room during our first break. They entertained attendees with a wide range of upbeat covers of popular music across genres. Attendees rocked in their seats, as they filled the chat box with great reviews, such as: “Whooo!” “Yes! They are great!” “The music is great!”
Speaker, Chip Dizard – Founder of Chip Dizard Weddings
Topic: “Effective Social Media Advertising (FB & IG) to Transform Prospective Customers into Loyal Ones”
⇨Key Takeaway: “Content is King but engagement is Queen and she rules the house.”
Chip demystified digital marketing by illustrating a variety of proven tactics and targeting methods. His techniques showed attendees how to transform prospects into a “team” of loyal customers.
Speaker, Jacquette Timmons, CEO of Jacquette M. Timmons & Sterling Investment Management Inc.
Topic: “The Hidden Impact of Pricing You…How to Price Your Genius”
⇨Key Takeaway: “Your business’ financial success should translate down – and have a positive impact on the health of your personal finance as well.”
Jacquette’s insights helped attendees understand how to make the right connection between our business and personal finances, by using pricing as the mechanism to do that.
She revealed how many entrepreneurs and small business owners are confined by industry pricing and market misconceptions.
Key Question: “What should I Charge for This?” The question is ubiquitous. The answer was not, as she shared her pricing framework.
Speaker, Myrna Daramy, Founder of Myrna & Co.
Topic: “Optimize Your DMO (Digital Marketing Optimization) & Build Traction for Your Business with Blogging”
⇨Key Takeaway: The Question, “Why Blog?”
Myrna delved deep into the following answer, outlined as bullet points below:
- It creates dynamic content
- Establish Expertise
- Creates Authority
- Builds Trust
- Improves On-Page SEO
- Optimizes Your Footprint
She successfully delivered not so easy to comprehend tech information in a way that was relatable, digestible, and easy to implement.
Speaker, Darnyelle Harmon, Founder of Incredible One Enterprises LLC
Topic: “Sales is Not a Dirty Word”
⇨Key Takeaway: “The idea of selling should not seem distasteful. It’s not about selling products, it’s about helping people become the best versions of themselves – filling someone else’s need, providing real benefits or services, or doing something useful by helping your customers. There is nothing dirty about that.”
Darnyelle’s mic-dropping gems:
- “Nothing happens until somebody “serves” someone!
- Think like a CEO not an entrepreneur
- Success requires a posture change
Here’s a glimpse into Darnyelle’s Sales Success System:
- Realize it is as honorable to sell, as it is to buy
- Create Your Sales Management System
- Kick Your Competition to the Curb (Rise Above the Noise and Stand Out)
At the conclusion of Day One, our creative community was challenged to fully take in their newfound knowledge. We ASPIRED to implement our new skills, to grow and evolve personally – and take our businesses to higher plateaus.
Washington Talent Agency placed the perfect musical punctuation at the end of a magnificent first day.
(additional photos of TSCEO 2020 virtual conference, click here)
