I am writing this sitting on a plane flying to my first in-person conference since the pandemic set in. This is awesome.
There are a lot of aspects of my work I really enjoy: a great business partner/wife to share our wins and losses with, an amazing team who is learning and growing, clients who are focused on doing the right things in the midst of public policy challenges. But my extroverted personality loves a chance to see a bunch of friends and acquaintances in one room and roaming group to group listening, sharing stories and generally being social. I am a sucker for a conference.
Conferences are relatively inefficient: registration fees, travel, hotel rooms, meals, bar bills, wearing pants… These are far more costly and time consuming than busting open a Zoom video. But the press of a handshake, the hug of a friend, the shared laughter of a fun story, the experience of sipping wine in the midst of Napa, these are just not the same on Zoom.
And the conference experience starts before the conference has kicked off. As I sat at my gate at John Wayne Airport, I ran into Lance Holman of Holman Capital, a conference circuit friend who was bound for Reno, too. Then, in the Southwest boarding line, I caught up with Anthony and Evelyn Gonsalves.
Thank you California Special Districts Association (CSDA) for plunging forward with an in-person conference in June 2021. It is my first CSDA conference, but out of respect for the pioneering spirit of getting back to in-person events, I promise it won’t be my last.
Meanwhile, looking into the coming months, I hope to see many of you in Sacramento, CA; Monterey, CA; Blaine, WA; Squaw Valley, CA and Indian Wells, CA.
Have Vaccine - Will Travel,
