How to Live in Harmony With a Meeting Professional

As a professional speaker and the spouse of a meeting professional, I've learned several invaluable lessons about relationships and life in general. Here's a list meeting planners can share with their partners to help them speed up the learning curve and foster mutual understanding.

1. Check the List

For my Certified Meeting Professional partner, every day begins with a list. Make sure to read it! My name is often linked to a task on the list—and there's always follow-up to ensure it is completed. Pro tip: Aim to finish your assignments before being asked.

2. Be a Grateful Plus-One

Planning a business event is intense, detail-oriented and often underappreciated work. However, it comes with its perks. I've been lucky enough to accompany my partner to breathtaking destinations. I've even stood in the locker room of MLB's World Series champions. Cherish these moments and express your gratitude whenever possible.

3. Adopt Good Behaviors

I've noticed my partner and other meeting professionals instinctively slip into "planner mode" at someone else's event. They'll move empty plates to a service tray or pick up a napkin off the floor and toss it in the trash. Imagine how much more pleasant events would be if everyone adopted such considerate habits.

4. Listen and Learn

Pay attention, and soon you'll recognize the difference between a 60-inch round and a 72-inch round table. You'll distinguish a lectern from a podium and identify a Chiavari chair on sight. Most importantly, you'll come to appreciate the effort that goes into creating a visually stunning dining or gathering space.

5. Be Observant

Your partner might photograph decorations, centerpieces or food presentations — or even snap a picture of the carpets in hotel hallways. Their attention to detail has inspired me to notice and value these elements, too. Seeing the world through their lens can be surprisingly enriching.

6. Hone Your Logic

Some decisions in the meetings industry might not initially make sense. Consider a typical buffet setup: Why place silverware at the start, when attendees are juggling plates while selecting food? It's more practical to position it at the end of the line. I've gained a new appreciation for the thoughtful decisions meeting professionals make to enhance experiences.

7. Be the Planner at Home

Allow your partner to relax when they return from an event or a busy workday. A clean home and a meal in progress can be the ultimate gesture of understanding and appreciation for the demands of their job.  

Steve Hoffman is a tax expert, presenter, and the appreciative spouse of meetings industry expert and educator Joanne Dennison, CMP.