Business Partners are an integral component to the success of the KAPPA.  Business Partners benefit from the exposure they get at the chapter meetings through concentrated interaction with attending institutional members visiting their booths and general networking opportunities throughout our educational programs. They also attend education sessions and often share their expertise by serving as session speakers.

Please reference the Business Partner Etiquette document below:

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Attending a KAPPA conference and networking with members requires a certain level of professionalism and etiquette. Effective networking is a balance between assertiveness and respect, and it contributes significantly to your professional development and the success of your organization. Institutions are always encouraged by KAPPA to not isolate, and to support all the business partners.

Here’s a helpful list of do’s and don’ts to help you navigate these events successfully:

DO’s

  1. Research Members in Advance:
    1. Familiarize yourself with attendees to understand their institutions and any

      recent news about them.

    2. Gathering information will guide your interactions.
  2. Be Polite and Respectful:
    1. Treat others with respect, regardless of their level of interest in your offerings.
    2. Be polite, listen actively, and recognize their limited time to get to sessions and

      meet a host of other attendees.

  3. Exchange Contact Information:
    1. If you have a meaningful conversation, exchange business cards or contact information. Follow up with a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the discussion.
    2. Refrain from lengthy sales pitches.
  4. Participate in Sessions:

a. This is an opportunity to listen, learn and engage with others about your knowledge as applicable and appropriate.

5. Follow KAPPA event Guidelines:
a. Adhere to the guidelines set by the conference organizers. This includes

respecting booth spaces, scheduled events, and other protocols.

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DON’Ts

1. Monopolize Time:
a. Avoid monopolizing anyone’s time, especially if there are others waiting to

engage. Be mindful of their schedule and the needs of other conference

attendees.
2. Interrupt Conversations:

a. Don’t interrupt ongoing conversations. Wait for an appropriate moment to approach and introduce yourself.

3. Be Too Aggressive:
a. While it’s essential to be assertive, being overly aggressive can be off-putting.

Respect personal space and engage in a professional manner. 4. Neglect Follow-Up:

a. Failing to follow up can leave a negative impression and diminish potential opportunities.

5. Disregard Event Decorum:
a. Avoid disruptive behavior or anything that goes against the general decorum of

the event. Maintain a professional demeanor at all times. 6. Assume Familiarity:

a. Even if you’ve interacted with someone online or via email, don’t assume familiarity. Introduce yourself and provide context for your conversation.

7. Forget to Show Appreciation:
a. A simple thank-you goes a long way in building positive relationships.

8. Undermine the sanctity of the conference and the investment everyone has made by pulling clients out of scheduled events (including dinner) and away from other business partners.

Thank you for your attention to the Do’s and Don’ts. We recognize our business partners for their valuable contributions to the success of the KAPPA organization, our conferences and our members.

Sincerely,
Your KAPPA Board Members