Every midwest meeting planner is familiar with "Holiday Showcase". I had not attended in several (that is 10) years as tradeshows have nearly detroyed my back. Since I was going to be in Chicago anyway, and in an effort to save the bureau some money, I volunteered this year.
OUCH! But not my back. I took my wife, Maxine, along. Now don't get me wrong. She is great with customers and really knows our business. But shopping on Michigan Ave in December can really hurt. For some reason the term "recession" means nothing to her. The only upside is some of that pain may find its way under the Christmas tree with my name on the tag. I can only hope.
I had forgotten what Holiday Showcase really had become. It is the perfect opportunity for meeting planners and or their office staffs, to shop for thier grandkids. Not to mention hoteliers and bureau reps begging for swag for their kids. When I was just a rookie sales manager for a major hotel chain, I think I remember actually doing a little business.
Do you know what else I noticed? Where did the 20 something sales reps go? Everyone seemed older. Less hair. More mature. Wiser. My kind of people. I liked it.
Maybe doing business is too highly regarded. I don't think I will give anything away next year. But I will have wine. Lots of wine. Lets just have fun next year.
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