Conventions, Tradeshows, Seminars and Events

"All lasting business is built on friendship."
Alfred A. Montaper

by Skip Cohen

Over the last two weeks, we had the inside of our home painted -- every closet, wall, all the trim/moulding and ceiling throughout. One of the challenges to clean out before painting was the closet in my home office. Hanging from a shelf were two carabiner clips loaded with dozens of badges and lanyards.

Years ago, my dad came with me to a PPA convention. Every few minutes, I was introducing Dad to a friend or associate from the industry. I remember Dad saying to me, "Walking around that trade show with you is like walking with the Mayor!" We both laughed, but the truth is, all of us who have been in the industry a long time, know a lot of people. We've all been to the same conferences, rubber chicken dinners, retirement parties, and funerals, too.

The classic of the whole bunch and the oldest is WPI, 1989. It was my second conference in my role at Hasselblad, and before the association became WPPI. It was probably at the Rio or Tropicana at the time.

But what is it about all the badges in the shot above that prevents me from throwing them out?

It's such an easy answer...it's about memories and great friendships. While we can never go back, it's true that, whatever route our journey takes, Memory Lane is like a side access-road along a freeway. It's always there, reminding us of where we're going and, in this case, where we've been.

But here's one more fun aspect this Throwback Thursday - virtually every person I've known in the industry was at one time wearing one of those badges above. From meetings to dinners to late nights in a bar at the convention center, we've all been there. 

Throwback Thursday is always about memories, and while we all need to stay focused on the future, it's a kick to take a look in the rearview mirror now and then!

​Happy Throwback Thursday!​

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