Thoughts on the Atlanta Forum

[Toby]

I think that covers my thoughts pretty well too. No big surprise since HP and I have very similar outlooks on life. Just a couple of things to add from my perspective.

Nit Picky Bitch List
Besides the volume issue the only other thing that I grumbled about each morning was the absence of a small coffee maker in the room. I had to get my sorry ass showered, dressed and downstairs in order to have my morning cuppa. Fortunately everyone I encountered treaded lightly until I'd been properly caffeinated.

Weather
A very pleasant change from the hot and muggy I escaped in Houston. This was my first trip to Atlanta and to Georgia. A beautiful city and state, very green, reminded me alot of being back home in Oregon.

Food
The hotel restaurant was more than a little too "California" for my taste. Asian Fusion Cuisine would be just fine, if I could still get nachos or similar fare off a bar menu.

The local Atlanta peeps more than took up the slack with their choices for places to eat. Gonzo & Hell Puppy, some day I hope to be able to do the same for you on my own home turf.

Booze
I know that I drank far more than I normally do. My liver aged a couple of extra years over the weekend. It now qualifies for an AARP card.

Seminars and Keynote
I caught two of the seminars. Unfortunately I'm not the target audience for either topic that I attended. I have little need to negotiate and bargain, but found out that I was pretty much doing it the right way. I also have no problem organizing my time or managing the clutter, but for those that do have issues in those areas there were some great tips given on how to improve things.

Mark Klein is a funny guy, and much of his "middle aged" humor hit pretty close to home.

Business
This was an "extra" show for me this year, so I went in without any specific plans on doing business. Gonzo introduced me to a couple of people that may lead to enough business to pay for my trip.

Conclusions
Definitely a bit more down time on the daily schedule, especially late afternoon and early evening. Nothing wrong with that at all. If I do go to this show again next year I will definitely make some pre-show plans to talk to a few people, in a location where we don't have to shout over the music.

Major kudos to Kathi and NationalNet. Ya done good!

[tony404]

Excellent post Hellpuppy. I agree with everything, next year we got to talk to kathi about the volume. Way too loud we arent 20 anymore.Also thank you for the nice words on my singing it had been a long time wasnt sure if I still had it in me. lol