The Jeff Show: Backstage Meals

Between gigs for Toshiba, CASE IH, Siemens, Bankers Life & Casualty, and New Holland, we had one of our busiest starts to the year in a long time. I’m happy to report that everything went great, and we're settled down a bit.

I also want to thank Nicole for sitting in the captain’s chair by writing about her favorite places in France. And I must admit, I was a little jealous as I read her post about all that great French Champagne from my hotel room in Kansas City while munching on a club sandwich from hotel room service. Life is funny that way.

Speaking of room service, this month my travel advice runs a little different than most months. Rather than tell you about great places to find a meal in Kansas City (and there are some rather good ones). I want to talk about the food we experience in the ballroom or on the floor since that is what I experienced most of the past month.

Face it, backstage ballroom food is at best OK; and most of the time it’s not my favorite part of this job.

Ready, ok, here we go. Do not, and I repeat, do not under any circumstances accept the boxed cold sandwich lunch at the Kansas City Convention Center. And I have witnesses.

When they say cold they are not kidding. However, I think it would be ok to let lunch thaw out for a couple hours, don't you? The bread does not have to be 28 degrees along with the cookie and chips.

So this time, I really want to hear about your worst backstage meal. Think about it; I’m sure we’ll all have some entertaining stories.

Until next time…

Meeting Advice: Boomers vs Gen Y

Boomers vs Gen Y: these two generations will go into your next meeting or trade show with different expectations. On Meeting Planners International's website, Yvonne Nassar gives some advice on engaging both attendees at the same meeting in Meet Your New Visitor. We noticed a theme that will make your next meeting, trade show or event even more valuable and memorable: stories.

BOOMERS

Let them share their stories: Boomers have decades of real-world experience they are all to willing to share that are probably unique.

GEN Y

Provide true stories you won't find on the Internet: It's not a secret that Gen Y is Internet savvy and will probably look up information and tweet it during the event. Provide something unique that they won't be able to find.

As you're planning your next keynote speaker or break out session, remember to ask your speakers to include unique stories. Better yet, you might even want to pair up attendees in a formal break out session so they are able to share their stories.

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