We all do it. And we all vow to get better at it. But it’s a force of human nature to be unable to hold onto names the moment we’re introduced. It happens to me all the time. I will be shaking the hand of a new person and being oriented with their name simultaneously; […]
On this here, the first day of the fiscal year and also on the first day of my 37th year on Earth, I thought I would share with the world some statistical information regarding my company’s booking record as I’ve now been in business for sixty-six months. I’m sure there are questions about where my […]
It’s hard denying that the Hotel Helix is a special place for me and one which bring back fond memories in many different aspects of my life. But I also had the great fortune to return to it last week as my lodging choice in Washington while I conducted several very important appointments. They treated […]
Last week I was fortunate enough to spend some time with the good people of the SGMP North Carolina chapter, based in the state capital, Raleigh. I was brought down to present on SGMP’s value on Boss’ Day, the day when SGMP members bring their supervisors to the meeting so that they can glean the […]
I’m presently on my third BlackBerry. And for the lives of my contracts I’ve been steadfast in my assertion that the BlackBerry is better for business, in much the same way that all my life I’ve lobbied for the use of PCs despite the bells and whistles of the fancy Macintosh. Oh, but there are […]
This is a new name for a highly coveted, upscale, Washington, DC hotel. Formerly the Westin Grand, the Westin Georgetown sits on the excellent piece of real estate on the southeast corner of 24th and M Streets NW. This neighborhood is commonly referred to as the West End. Just between Georgetown and Dupont Circles, perhaps […]
Last week I traveled to New Orleans, LA for the second time in three months for my fourth consecutive Connect Marketplace, put on by Collinson Media and Events. If one were to hear of anyone claiming to have been to more Connect Marketplaces than I, that person would be fibbing, for I’ve been to all […]
Last week the hotel and government meeting planner community collectively breathed one big sigh of relief when it was revealed GSA’s verdict to keep the federal per diem rates flat for FY’13. This responsible decision shows much needed clear headed thinking. In the past few weeks there have been some rather incredulous proposal on […]
There’s no better way to secure free business than to gain a referral. And the finest examples of fruitful referrals I can think of, aside from the standard client references, are the ones where it takes some detective work to figure out just where the referral came from, or one which could only have happened […]
This summer began very slowly. With the aftermath of the GSA scandal still very much on the forefront of everyone’s mind, organizations, particularly government agencies unsure of rule changes happening around them daily, were hesitant to move forward on any future bookings. Additionally, some agencies suffered tragic cancellations for what amounted to little cause. As […]