The Ontario Broker - Volume 23, Issue 3 - 60

WHAT'S NEW
Setting the Stage at My First
Young Brokers Conference
Sarah Montalba, Administration Coordinator, IBAO
T
his year, I was given the opportunity to attend the Young
Brokers Conference alongside our Marketing team. I didn't
quite know what to expect, since our YBC Conference
operates on a much smaller scale compared to our annual
Convention. I'd presumed that because of the event's size,
the conference might pale in comparison. But the marketing, logistics,
preparation and work that go into a conference-regardless of scale-are
equally met.
After a complex set-up, I was assigned to check people in and hand
out name badges. The conference kicked off with an opening night party
sponsored by Travelers. The atmosphere in the room set the tone for the
event-this first YBC event was a terrific showcase of the young brokers
emerging in Ontario.
The next morning I settled in for a keynote delivered by Dr. Kimberley
Amirault-Ryan, a sports psychologist and performance consultant, who
spoke about high performance. Her insights were like a symphony of
inspiration, hitting all the right notes-notes I diligently jotted down
using our IBAO swag. She highlighted several key takeaways that
resonated with me:
Mindset: The True Game Changer - Dr. Amirault-Ryan underscored
the pivotal role of a robust and resilient mindset in achieving peak
performance. Her work with athletes revolves around cultivating mental
strategies that empower them to conquer challenges, handle stress and
sustain unwavering focus.
The Power of Process - Instead of fixating on end results, she
encourages athletes to direct their attention towards the controllable
elements of performance. By embracing this process-oriented approach,
athletes can stay grounded in the present moment, thereby unlocking
their true potential.
Harnessing Self-Talk for Triumph - She emphasizes the immense
influence of self-dialogue on performance. By crafting positive and
constructive self-talk that promotes self-belief and resilience, you can
pave your way to success.
Thriving Under Pressure - She dismantles the notion of pressure as
a negative focus. Instead, she urges athletes to view it as a catalyst for
extraordinary performance. This shift in perspective converts pressure
into an opportunity for excellence, allowing athletes to channel their
energy towards outstanding achievement.
Feedback Loop: Elevating Excellence - Constructive feedback and
reflections are fundamental for growth. Dr. Amirault-Ryan equips athletes
with the tools to objectively review their performance and make the
necessary tweaks for future triumph.
As the conference segued into roundtable workshops, I retreated to
streamline the check-in process
for the upcoming tradeshow.
I gathered the necessary
resources to set-up a check-in
desk. While I couldn't help but
feel a pang of disappointment
for missing out on BIP Talks
where our own Marketing Lead
shared insights about lessons
he learned from the world of
stand-up comedy, I couldn't
have been more excited to learn
that his presentation was so
well-received.
Event attendees flocked to
the Fallsview Casino to our
tradeshow. The room buzzed
with activity, with over 40
exhibitors looking to connect
with young brokers. After a
few hours, word spread about
the traditional, unofficial
afterparty at an outdoor
Karaoke Bar. As the tradeshow
wrapped up, we efficiently
tore-down, leaving with only
half of what we'd arrived with.
By then, we'd reached the 14th
hour of the conference-I
contemplated if I had the
energy to embark on tradition,
but the FOMO was real.
I'm glad I attended. It was
an impressive showcase of
showmanship and active
60
The Ontario Broker
The Ontario Broker - Volume 23, Issue 3

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Ontario Broker - Volume 23, Issue 3
