Keeping momentum between meetings

How can one keep up the momentum between conferences and meetings? The face to face interactions, presentations of new research, and discussions among experts can be very inspirational and generate lots of new ideas. But it can be challenging to keep the vigor and drive going once back in the office and in the regular work routine.

Attending several conferences and meetings, directly related to safer chemicals, over the past few months (GC3, Safer Choice Summit, GC&E, and local events) has been so inspiring to me – to see increasing numbers of people, from diverse sectors and employers, coming together because they are trying to make safer products. They want to use safer chemicals and make better, innovative products. The drivers behind their participation in these meetings may vary, but in the end they were there, learning from each other, maybe even collaborating.

To me, it’s incredible to see so many participating – big retailers, small businesses, chemical companies, NGOs, trade associations, suppliers, chemists, toxicologists, non-scientists. There’s a monumental shift happening toward making products (especially consumer products and household items) safer and more sustainable. I think it’s incredible to see a movement that has really accelerated in recent years. Companies from so many sectors and all along the value chain are trying to make the change, with help from competitors, NGOs, associations, and government agencies. Groups that maybe normally would not come together and wouldn’t collaborate are doing it for safer chemicals. Great minds are coming together, with the common passion for making a difference and creating a more sustainable, safer future. There’s so much potential!

How can we keep this momentum and energy going forward between meetings? Here's a few suggestions that I try to follow:

1. Stay connected to people and organizations through social media, like LinkedIn and Twitter. [I use both as ways to keep connected and hear the latest green chemistry-related news]

2. Participate in work groups/committees/roundtables that move collaborative efforts forward on a regular basis. [You may be able to participate in one if you ask. These days I'm participating in BizNGO work groups and the ACS Committee on Environmental Improvement]

3. Join online forums. [For example, the Data Commons of the Healthy Building Network has frequent conversations and Q&A that comes to your inbox]

4. Attend meetings/events of local groups. [I'm involved with my local section/chapter of ACS and SOT]

5. Propose a collaborative project with someone you met at a conference. [Don’t be afraid to collaborate across boundaries, discuss ideas, innovate, and create]

6. Meet up with a local contact for coffee or lunch to catch up and hear what's new. [Summer is a good time for this; I'm scheduling a few for later in the month]