So I have to brag a little bit and I'll ask for forgiveness later. This fall, my group at work decided to buy an expensive piece of software. Most companies take months (like 12 or more) to make the decision. We made our decision in about eleven weeks.
One of the vendors suggested that we talk about our decision-making process at a conference. Toward the end of last year, I wrote a proposal to a conference organizer and it was accepted. And then our company announced that travel budgets were tightening.
Nonetheless, I received permission to go. My slides are done and I'm waiting to talk to the organizers about their feedback and suggestions. I've made my travel arrangements. I'm staying at a really lovely-sounding B&B just a few blocks away from the conference site. And... I'm going to take a minivacation by myself while I'm there -- I'll have a day and a half to spend on either side of the conference.
It's all happening in St. Petersburg, Florida, at the end of April. Though I've been to the state several times, I've never been to the west coast. I'm hoping to take long walks, go to a few museums and galleries (including a world-famous Dali museum and an artisan gallery), perhaps meet some friendly folks, catch part of a huge triathlon that's happening while I'm there, and sit by the water and contemplate navels for a bit. I've already talked to the inn owner who sounds friendly and helpful.
I'm looking forward to being away, even without the hubster. The conference will be good too -- it focuses on two technologies that are important to my group at work and to the path that my career has taken over the last few years.
2 comments:
Congrats. Content management systems are challenging at all levels, technically and politically. You worked hard. Enjoy the trip and the conference.
Thanks, KAH. The politics continue,unfortunately. The decision is made, but the purchase is not, darn it... Nonetheless, I think we did a good job on our end and I'm proud of that, at least.
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