Tuesday
Up bright & early.
Back in the good old days (i.e. last year and years prior) Awards of Excellence ticket exchange started on this morning and you had to be physically present to select your table. We would make a concerted effort to be one of the first in line…a tradition shared with the same people every year. It was a mini-competition, but the most fun was seeing the same friends every year. This year, of course, we reserved seating on line, so that didn’t happen.
However, this day is also the best day for registration- no lines, talk to staff- catch up a bit-where we ran into the same bunch of regulars (old habits are hard to break)- Bill Back from Houston, Frank Boettcher from Philly, a contingent from the Bay area , including Melissa Van Hagen, Kathryn Lopez, Dawn Knoll and others.
We also visited with staff; Chandra, Sonal, Ann, Laura, Vicky, Melissa and Amy, as there was ample time to do so before the rush hit. We also hit the bookstore, interrupting Charles & Laura, who were hard at work.
The Facility Management Consultants Council (FMCC) has had a booth on the floor for the last 4 years. Anita & I normally set the booth up and stock it for the trade show opening. Booth set-up is a fairly easy process with two people…even though we only do it once a year. (It took us longer to figure out which side was up than it did to get it in place!)
In the afternoon, it was time for the House of Delegates/Annual Meeting- another welcome tradition-a melding of old friends and new acquaintances all with the common interest in learning how IFMA was doing (Annual meeting) and helping determine its future direction (House of Delegates).
The meetings provided us with an insight into the new Board- and the three year plan that John McGee has implemented. The general feeling was that the combination of John, Tom Mitchell and Francis Kuhn…and their respective responsibilities in regards to the plan was a recipe for success, playing to each of their strengths. The result was a positive outlook for the organization…assuming the road avoids the speed bumps that invariably show up during any trip.
On a personal note, it seemed that Sustainability should be top of the priority list, not fourth down, but that’s an old song that is destined to be a classic…here’s hoping it keeps making the playlist.
Busy, busy, busy… Tuesday was also Foundation Day. Had to miss the golf (personal choice) but the Foundation Gala (Denim & Diamonds) was not to be missed. The Foundation volunteers, under the guidance of Melissa Van Hagen and the Board of Directors, did an outstanding job on this event, and it should prove to be a financial success. Between the raffle tickets, the card games and the weird juxtaposition of a silent auction with loud music and conversations…there was something for everyone.
The food was good, and I’d go to any party where Levi’s are part of the expected dress code.
-Bill C.
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