Stephanie Selesnick wrote a blog last week in EXPO asking
What’s the coolest thing you think about our business?
Here’s my answer which I thought was worth re-posting here:
At times, everyone gets jaded about deadlines, pressures, on the spot decisions while on the job.
My most poignant memory was in 2005 when I was onsite running Macworld. I was taking the elevator to the staff office at the Moscone and the only other person in the elevator was a guy weaing a three piece pinstripe suit, long hair and flip flops(this being San Francisco no one blinked an eye), and here’s me Mr. Uptight rushing to put out a fire somewhere….
So Mr. Three Piece Suit says to me: “I liked what you said about the show”.
Having no idea what he was talking about, I asked him what he meant. He opens the show guide in his hand where he shows me the intro message(ie the form letter that might get copied from show to show with minor alterations) on page three.
He had memorized the letter, eyeballed my badge and made a comment to me at the opportune moment…..I snapped awake and said “thanks” and probably added ‘man’ to fit in with his vibe.
Years of scales were wiped from my eyes, I actually make a difference to attendees at my events-me personally. And that decisions I made were loved (or hated) by thousands of people without me ever knowing….I now see direct results of what I do in the events world, even in the small things. A lesson I have never since forgotten…..