I am calling on our veterans to hug a puppy - at least once a day during the conference!
My friends and I actually seek puppies out each year. We chat them up and try to really get to know at least two puppies each conference. Usually there are three of four puppies in our pack before the conference is over. As a result, the number of people that I meet up with every year seems to grow exponentially. Why? Because those puppies that we meet do the same thing - seek out puppies - each year that they return.
You may be wondering "How should you approach a puppy?" Well, I am sure that most of you already know how - but here are a few starting tips:
For those of you who like the direct approach - A genuine hello with a smile can be effective.
For those who need the opportunity to present itself... Comment on something in the immediate area, such as the long line you're both waiting in or the wealth of information in your workbook.
Some favorite conversation generators are: Which speakers are you plan on attending? Where do you go for professional advice? How many dogs do you have? What are their names? How did you choose their names?
Every puppy should have at least a new friend or two or twenty by the end of the conference. By welcoming our puppies, we improve the diversity of experience, knowledge, opinions and ideas at our conference. Remember that you were once a puppy too. Give them a gentle hug - let them know that we're a friendly bunch and that we are happy they are here too!
Kellyann Conway
APDT President
