Ned did a terrible thing, and has creme brulee all over his face.   more »

The real story about the IABC Conference   more »

Ned falls out of his chair, when the chair fell apart.   more »

The 2008 IABC Conference Blog   more »

Ned: I have to attend the annual general meeting. I am the official voting
delegate for the Washington, DC chapter.

Mike: I was a superdelegate at the Heritage Board meeting yesterday. We met in the Clinton Room--i made a motion to change it to the Obama Room.

Ned's sapling   more »

Mike: How did your presentation go today?

Ned: I thought it went pretty well. I have another one tomorrow.

Mike: What's it about?

Ned: I can't remember. I have to check the program.

Mike: Well, I guess that cuts down on your prep time.   more »

Ned and Mike talk about the serious side of the IABC Conference   more »

Mike asks Ned: What is the one thing you will take back from this conference?   more »

Ned,
I had a brief conversation with Mike this morning after seeing your blog and his claim that he sent a woman who asked for directions to the nearest Sephora to the Bronx! That woman was myself and I didn't travel quite that far.

Here's how my conversation went with Mike :

Kim: Mike, I was the Sephora lady yesterday - don't worry, I knew better than to go to the Bronx. I thought it was great that you tried though. I used to work in Manhattan so I knew there was a Sephora really closeby just not exactly where it was - it's on 49th and 5th by the way in case anyone else asks....

Mike: (looking somewhat abashed) well, they must not update their website too much, cause I sure didnt' see that one.

Kim: that's okay - we know you really didn't mean to send me to the Bronx, right Marie? (Marie Raperto is standing next to Mike at this point)

Mike: (seeing a way out) thats why we have Marie here now - we needed a New York native !

Kim: okay, Mike, you're busted, but I still think it was really nice that you tried.

And so it goes here at IABC International Conference - everyone trying to help each other out - sometimes with mixed results, but always with good spirit (or spirits - whatever works!)

Kim Hanson, ABC
South County Communications
hansonk@optonline.net

What do people say to Mike when they encounter him at the Dine-Around table?   more »

Mike: Hey Ned, you know what’s great about being in New York for the IABC Conference?


Ned: Yes. I can wear my Red Sox cap and ruin the day for hundreds of Yankee fans.


Mike: Well, yes, that. But that’s not what I was thinking of.


Ned: That’s because you’re a Cleveland Indians fan.


Mike. Since birth.


Ned: So Mike, what is great about being in New York for the IABC Conference?


Mike: Thanks for asking. I’m staffing the Dine-Around booth in front of the Registration table, and people are coming up to Tom Roux of Yankee IABC and me asking for advice about things to do in New York—and they think we’re New Yorkers!


Ned: Are you telling them you’re not from New York?


Mike: Well, Tom is. But Tom takes the IABC Code of Ethics pretty seriously.


Ned: I’m glad somebody does.


Mike: I agree—it takes a LOT of pressure off of me.


Ned: So what happens when they ask you a question?


Mike: I give them an answer.


Ned: Is it the right answer?


Mike: I sure hope so.


Ned: This sounds a bit unsettling.


Mike: No, actually it’s fun. For example, a woman came up and asked what night the Broadway theaters were dark, and I said “Mondays.” And it turns out, I’m right. And another lady asked where the nearest Sephora store was, and I Googled it and sent her to the South Bronx.


Ned: The South Bronx?


Mike: Yeah. It sounds like a cool area.


Ned: Have you ever been to the South Bronx?


Mike: No. Why?

Saturday June 21
4:00 p.m.

Ned, I am at Newark Airport. I think I took a wrong turn at Parsippany. I can see the New York skyline off in the distance. I think I'll walk--it looks pedestrian friendly...

Mike has a simpler solution to Dine-Around this year   more »

These wise gys are just warming up   more »

Somebody has to have an imagination. Somebody. Somehwere.   more »

Adice for first-timers from some serious has-beens   more »

Ned and Mike talk about what they're going to do at the IABC Conference   more »