- Speaker dinner at Spaghetti Warehouse was packed. Great crowd, not such great service. At 8:45 pm we still had not had a chance to order dinner. With a crowd of 40+ its challenging to get a good venue that can handle the service and provide an environment conducive to networking. Event leaders, think hard about that latter point. Outside tends to work better than inside, some noise is good but too much is bad, and having room to move around is critical, nothing worse than being trapped at a table.
- This is was the first time for this event at the USF campus (same place the BI edition was held). Couldn’t ask for better. Good signs up too! For those trying to find it, turn it at the light for the science (MOSI) center.
- I had about 15 attendees at my presentation, last of the day. Got some good questions!
- The main area at the venue is great for networking. I had probably a dozen conversations just by being there and being visible, looking around to see who I knew
- I brought my kids with me, with limited success. They liked the ‘free stuff’ from the vendors, but got bored all too quickly with watching me talk to people. My 7 year old was rolling on the floor – literally – while I was presenting, trying to get my attention (or anyone that would look). Fun, but tiring. I wish day care was an option at the event.
- We took at break to hit the science center and my 10 year old daughter tried the ropes course and the zip line. They put them in a harness that snaps into overhead track, works well except sometimes it would stick at corners and she wasn’t quite tall enough to just move it, had to swing and bounce it. The zip line is about 4 stories up, they get to across and back, she did well. The video of it came out so so, but the audio was good – her screaming some as she sailed across, all happy excitement.
- Thanks to Pam Shaw and team for a nice event!
- Almost forgot, the speaker gift was different and useful this year, a wooden luggage tag that is now on my backpack:
