At
the peak of the professional speaking business, life was good for those of us
in that industry. However, it took a dramatic turn after 911 when companies
stopped having as many meetings and smaller numbers of people attended national
conferences resulting in fewer speakers being hired. Many of us have good
memories as we reminisce about the good ole’ days.
One
of my favorite gigs was speaking for a property management company at their
end-of-year marketing meetings. They owned factory outlet stores throughout the
United States in resort areas. I was hired to crisscross the country for two
months giving the company’s employees recognition for their good work.
Some
of the places I travelled to speak were: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, the
Boardwalk in New Jersey, the Rhode Island seashore, the Rockies, Utah mountains
and the Oregon coast. Two experiences were very special and will always be
memorable.
One
meeting was held on a train as it twisted along the Connecticut River. I
positioned myself so that I would be facing the direction the train was travelling
and hopefully avoid motion sickness. Adding to the challenge, I had a sprained
ankle so I had a bar stool to grab if the ride became bumpy. Little did I know
that the train would reverse directions at the midpoint to return back to the
start. The barstool was a lifesaver more than once. All in all it was a delightful
experience.
The
other speaking adventure was travelling to the Oregon coast. My plane arrived
in Portland, Oregon, in the pouring rain. I then had to rent a car and drive 90
miles on two-lane road through drizzle and fog. By Lincoln City, I was tired;
wondering if I had been crazy when I agreed to this exhausting travel schedule.
Just
a little further down Highway 101, I turned onto a one-lane road to the Salishan
Resort. The front desk clerk directed me to my cottage. As I parked the car in
front, I saw the golf course with the ocean waves crashing on the shore on the
other side of the perfectly manicured golf green. I opened the front door and
heard the crackling of the fire in the fireplace. A chair with a beautiful
afghan was situated next to the hearth and a teapot of hot water with various flavors
of teas was on the sideboard. As I turned around, imagine my surprise as I saw the
bed covered with presents! For a minute, I thought I must be in someone else’s
room.
The
next morning I was amazed at the venue where I would be speaking. It had floor
to ceiling windows with the ocean crashing just feet away onto the sandy beach.
The audience was a really fun group. When the meeting planner handed me the
check for my fee, I almost wanted to say, “Oh no, keep it. I should be paying
you for this experience.” At that time I hoped that I would get to show my
appreciation someday and give something back to the gracious Oregonians.
Today’s
gift was to give away a free speech for an Oregon Society for Human Resource Management
Association chapter. It is a blessing to return the favor.
In
Giving,
Robin
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