How about getting together for a latté?

In the Virtual Assistance community, members are encouraged to schedule meet-ups in their own region of the country or world.

Here in Arizona, a loose knit group of International Virtual Assistants Association members and non members hold informal gatherings every few months to exchange tips and just get acquainted. If you’re in Arizona, get in touch with me so I can fill you in on the details of the next gathering.

On the other hand, if you are planning to travel out of your area and your schedule permits, I enthusiastically recommend you put out the word to the VA community wherever you’re headed. Over the past few years I have been fortunate to meet in person with small groups of Virtual Assistants in Carlsbad CA, Chicago, and San Jose CA.

These days, one of the first things I do when working out my travel schedule, whether personal or business, is to consult the IVAA directory to see who lives where I’m headed and start checking in with them.

I’m visiting the Pacific Northwest in about a week and am excited to be going to a meet-up with Amber Drake of Essential Admin and Lanel Taylor, Taylored Office Solutions. Both are IVAA members who live near Spokane. (Psst: don’t forget to check back again soon to read my pending interview with Amber!)

Initially I expected to be traveling to Seattle and Belliingham. When I was having no luck finding a place to stay, Michele Wong (another IVAA member and owner of Reliable Cyber Solutions) called around for me and found me a vacancy and was ready to get together for a meet-up, too. That’s not going to work this time, but maybe in the future our paths will cross. Thanks, Michele!

VAs around the country have made me feel so welcome when I visited their communities; Lanel and Amber went out of their way to set up a gathering near the airport I’m flying in and out of at a time that worked with my itinerary.

On the last day of my trip, I will drive to Spokane, meet everyone for an early lunch, then drive 20 minutes to the car rental and airport and be on my way home. Not a wasted second: that’s the VA community for you. Fantastic.

You can bet I will pay that forward if Amber, Lanel, or Michele (or any VA’s in other regions) ever head to Arizona. The professional and personal relationships begun at VA Connections are a fantastic way to expand your network and skills while building new friendships.