We know what a wine snob is. There are chocolate snobs, pizza snobs, bagel snobs, clothing snobs and all kinds of other snobs. All these things make sense.
So if we have so many snobs out there, where are the event snobs? Where are the people who criticize the establishment and break off to start something better?
Generally I’m not one to endorse snobbery because of the inherent negativity. But, I will admit that such behavior tends to raise the overall quality and appreciation for the objects of desire. Beer snobs who are dissatisfied with the status quo break off and start their own brewery making even better beer than anyone has tasted. Pizza snobs find new ways to bring out the flavors and make a dish worth savoring.
That’s the kind of thing we need to happen in the event space. I’ve been at so many 60 minute panels followed by a 30 minute networking session and rarely have I heard anyone say anything negative. But honestly, we’re in need of some negativity in this department because most events SUCK. They’re boring, they don’t help people learn and they don’t foster genuine connections.
If people can be snobby about a certain combination of cheese, dough and sauce, then why is no one being snobby about how 50 working professionals spend two hours of their week in a room at a terrible event? It’s time we got fed up with how bad events are right now.
Anyone who’s ready to jump on this bandwagon can join the tribe. Maybe I’ll make a Facebook group. Maybe it’ll be an email list. Let’s get snobby about events and break off and start creating experiences that people actually enjoy.