Great post, Bob. I've experienced this first hand, putting on events and spending that time with colleagues away from home has always been where i've understood people (and more than once had decent idea spars after a few bevs). Also, noticed that the more boring the conference/ expo, the more 'holiday vibe' the locations are. Still a weird one to see colleagues out of context, swimming around pools at a resort in Florida.
Great piece, Bob! I remember that 2008 keynote vividly, and I *think* I know which Sean you're mentioning. Erving Goffman, the great 20th Century polymath, described what you're talking about as different identity "frames." Each frame mobilizes the different aspects of your identity in different ways and combinations. So, part of the special conference experience you're describing suggests that we have Industry Conference identity frames that only emerge when at industry conferences... you and your friend wore the same bodies but had different identities active.
Cheers to you, Brad, for making my keynote a lifelong treasure — and for the many other people you have touched in this way through your work at countless industry events. You and your teams are unsung heroes!
To me, you gotta keep it rolling even into the airport. I’ve had a number of great new conversations with people I crossed paths with during the shows.
This comes at a great moment as I'm keynoting at a conference in Boston right now and meeting up with two friends that I have logged at least 100 hours of Zoom time with and am now meeting in person in a couple of hours. It's always a surprise how tall someone is (or isn't) in person. Loved, "Challenges breed camaraderie." Your point about how much easier it is to act like we have it altogether and know what we're doing through our managed e-personas is well taken. When you hit the hotel gym at 5 am and see those "titans" of industry in there sweating it out and not looking pretty, it changes your perspective. If I get anywhere near Cincinnati I'm going to show up unannounced and drag you out of the office for an adventure.
Bonus points if you work this tip into your keynote, Rick! Beers on me in Cincy...but maybe we need a like-minded IRL substacker meet up with a big crew? I'd be there!
Claire is a member of my Write Hearted community and we've already been talking about a meet up somewhere for the group. You may have to be one of our VIP invitees.
Great post, Bob. I've experienced this first hand, putting on events and spending that time with colleagues away from home has always been where i've understood people (and more than once had decent idea spars after a few bevs). Also, noticed that the more boring the conference/ expo, the more 'holiday vibe' the locations are. Still a weird one to see colleagues out of context, swimming around pools at a resort in Florida.
Enjoyed this one.
Great point - and the reverse is true: The more interesting the conference, the less it needs to be anywhere fancy.
Great piece, Bob! I remember that 2008 keynote vividly, and I *think* I know which Sean you're mentioning. Erving Goffman, the great 20th Century polymath, described what you're talking about as different identity "frames." Each frame mobilizes the different aspects of your identity in different ways and combinations. So, part of the special conference experience you're describing suggests that we have Industry Conference identity frames that only emerge when at industry conferences... you and your friend wore the same bodies but had different identities active.
Cheers to you, Brad, for making my keynote a lifelong treasure — and for the many other people you have touched in this way through your work at countless industry events. You and your teams are unsung heroes!
Wow, Bob. I teared up when I read that. Thank you.
To me, you gotta keep it rolling even into the airport. I’ve had a number of great new conversations with people I crossed paths with during the shows.
This comes at a great moment as I'm keynoting at a conference in Boston right now and meeting up with two friends that I have logged at least 100 hours of Zoom time with and am now meeting in person in a couple of hours. It's always a surprise how tall someone is (or isn't) in person. Loved, "Challenges breed camaraderie." Your point about how much easier it is to act like we have it altogether and know what we're doing through our managed e-personas is well taken. When you hit the hotel gym at 5 am and see those "titans" of industry in there sweating it out and not looking pretty, it changes your perspective. If I get anywhere near Cincinnati I'm going to show up unannounced and drag you out of the office for an adventure.
Bonus points if you work this tip into your keynote, Rick! Beers on me in Cincy...but maybe we need a like-minded IRL substacker meet up with a big crew? I'd be there!
Keynote was last night, but next one. The SS meet up idea is fantastic. Hmmm . . . wheels turning.
Per @Claire's theory, it can be at a very cheap and boring place since we'll be far from boring together :)
Claire is a member of my Write Hearted community and we've already been talking about a meet up somewhere for the group. You may have to be one of our VIP invitees.
I'm in!