Savvy self defense tips for meeting professionals
Vanessa LaClair, CMP is vice president of communications and marketing for @mpineny, and the event coordinator for IPPNY, a trade association in Albany, NY. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter. She will be a contributing blogger for SmartBlog Insights.
This was my first year attending the World Education Congress in Salt Lake City, Utah, and what an experience it was. More than 2,300 meeting planners and suppliers attended the event from July 11 to 14 — proof positive that the economy is improving and people are still meeting!
There were many fabulous speakers, wonderful educational sessions, a 2-day trade show and entertaining receptions; but by far my favorite was Kyle Eastham, Black Belt Speaker for the Self Defense educational session.
Kyle Eastham and his self defense session were an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. As a meeting planner, like so many others out there, I spend a great deal of time walking to and from a location, setting up, breaking down, running errands, etc. I also know that there are times that I do all these things without a care or second thought as to what might be lurking around the corner! This session was both informative and highly interactive! Attendees were taught hands-on tactics to fend off would be attackers — and that no matter how big or small you may be, you still have the power to escape.
Tip 1: During an attack, make lots of noise, attackers don’t want attention drawn to them.
Tip 2: Never let yourself be taken from the primary crime scene to a remote, secluded spot.
Tip 3: Do something! Kick, punch, slap, bite, stomp — whatever it takes! Even if your technique is not perfect, doing something is better than doing nothing. It is more likely your attacker will break off the attack if you fight back!
And did you know how many “weapons” you have in your purse that you carry around on a regular basis? I didn’t realize it either. Check your purse for things like a nail file, hair spray, lipstick, keys, pens/pencils, or brushes/combs — all of which can be used during an attack. And here I thought I needed to buy a can of mace!
Kyle was kind enough to dedicate a section of his Web site to the MPI WEC attendees — check it out at www.BlackBeltSpeaker.com.
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Tags: conference, meeting planning, MPI, Vanessa LaClair
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Posted by vlaclair on August 6th, 2009 at 10:40 am
I’m blogging for SmartBlog Insights – http://snurl.com/ow43w @SmartBriefScoop #mpi #wec09
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Posted by Midori Connolly on August 6th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Hi Vanessa!
Someone once taught me how deadly a key can be if grasped between the middle and pointer fingers and aimed at a neck. Yuck, but could save my life I suppose.
Looking forward to more of your resourceful blogging!
Midori Connolly
Pulse Staging and Events
http://www.twitter.com/GreenA_V
Posted by GreenA_V on August 6th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Good self-defense tips from new @SmartBriefScoop blooger @vlaclair
http://snurl.com/ow43w
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Posted by OnePlusEditor on August 7th, 2009 at 5:51 am
Savvy self defense tips for meeting profs and great testament to MPI’s WEC in SLC. http://bit.ly/FCRdT
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Posted by OnePlusEditor on August 7th, 2009 at 5:52 am
Savvy self defense tips for meeting profs and great testament to MPI’s WEC in SLC. http://bit.ly/FCRdT #mpi #WEC 09
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Posted by Twitted by DigLiberry on August 7th, 2009 at 6:10 am
[...] This post was Twitted by DigLiberry [...]
Posted by Vanessa LaClair on August 7th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Midori –
Thank you for the comment – I know the car key trick too. Yuck is right, but probably most effective in an emergency!
Looking forward to contributing on a monthly basis. Catch you on Twitter!
Vanessa
Posted by SmartBriefScoop on August 13th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
New SmartBlog Insights contributor Vanessa LaClair, CMP, @vlaclair shares self-defense tips for meeting planners: http://tinyurl.com/nk9hcs
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Posted by Kenneth on September 19th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Nice post! People should start considering learning self-defenses After all it won’t hurt some knowledge to gain knowledge in protecting one’s self from harm.