Restaurant Rundown in Catonsville, MD

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catonsvilleThis post has been in draft form for entirely too long, so it’s time to share. During the holidays last year, I found that I was eating out more than usual–often at some really tasty places. Surprisingly, Catonsville, MD has turned out to be quite the culinary hot spot–who knew?!?! Let’s dig in (pun intended).

Catonsville Gourmet Market–The food here is good and I would go back, but I’m not doing cartwheels. The atmosphere is cozy, service is good, and there’s a section in the back of the restaurant that sells seafood that looks yummy and fresh. I would recommend a reservation because it’s not that big. But a huge score is that there is a parking lot behind the restaurant and it’s free.

Dusenberg’s–I can’t say enough good things about this place. The food is awesome, the portions are huge, and the environment is ‘classic.’ They serve breakfast, brunch, and lunch; everything from beignets and specialty omelettes to the ‘Chesapeake Club’ that I enjoyed–shrimp salad topped with lump crab dip. The only down side is they don’t take reservations and they only have about 12 tables in the whole place. Because it’s such a popular spot–rightfully so–be prepared to wait. Street parking only.

Regions–The food here was very good and everyone in my party loved what they ate. Unfortunately, because it’s been so long I don’t remember what anyone had, myself included. I know it was off the specials menu and it was seafood (so I like seafood, I live in Maryland!). They do not have a liquor license so you will need to bring your own wine. And for a mere $5, yes $5, they will uncork it for you. (Yes, I’m being facetious.) The only true ‘negative’ I have to say about this restaurant is that they have a very strict 2-hour dining limit. We were a party of 3 women catching up and 2 hours after the start of our reservation we were brought the bill and politely told that our table was needed for another party. To be fair, this is mentioned on their website, but seriously??? Get ready to get in, eat, and get out.

Ship’s–I haven’t actually been to this restaurant, but I have heard good things.

Bonus review: This place isn’t in Catonsville, but it was good enough that I have to give it a shout out.

La Palapa–Seriously, they have a mariachi band, need I say more? If you can handle really spicy food, get the stuffed jalapeños, they’re worth the burn. I am a chimichanga girl and I was not disappointed in the least. This restaurant is located in downtown Ellicott City and parking was a NIGHTMARE. Yes, it was holiday time and Santa was in town until midnight on the night we went, but oh my–took me about an hour to park. The restaurant parking lot only holds about 9 cars. There are lots all around and street parking for free. I parked about half a mile away in front of someone’s home and one of my friends parked in the lot of an apartment complex–shhh, don’t tell. All that said, a super fun atmosphere, good food, and apparently a popular happy hour spot.

While on the subject of yummy food and restaurants, and since I stepped out of Catonsville, I may as well step out of Maryland. My recent reviews of my stay in Miami Beach were less than kind, though truthful; but there were a few bright spots. I went to a restaurant called Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine. I know it sounds odd and maybe they should consider a name change, but put that out of your mind–the food is awesome and so is the sangria. They are known for their roast pork which unfortunately, they were sold out of, so they recommended the pork chops–divine. And there were two of them, along with perfectly cooked plantains and black beans.

The other culinary crib worth mentioning was in South Beach–Van Dyke’s Cafe on Lincoln Road. The warm Brie appetizer alone was worth the traffic riddled cab ride. Coupled with pineapple mojitos and lobster stuffed ravioli, you can’t go wrong. Plus, I got to wear flip-flops and a sundress in March, only to return to snow in MD 2 days later, it was a nice reprieve.

There you have it. The review that took 4 months. Enjoy!

Book Review: Own the Wind

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OwnTheWindCover300_zps5d6277c7In Romance Novel Overload I admitted my addiction to Kristen Ashley books. Her first in the Chaos series was recently released, a spin-off from the Dream Man series. For those that know me, Kristen Ashley’s books are the ones that inspired me to move to Colorado and become a biker babe. A move, I might add, that was totally unsupported by essentially everyone I know. They all thought I should get a job first. Then move. Seriously, where is the fun in that? Anyway, I am not in Colorado and I am not a biker babe. Hmph… But I digress…

Off the bat, I have to say, I enjoyed the fact that Kristen now has a publisher and the book was professionally edited. I still found a few typos and some missing punctuation, but overall, a much better read than her other books–which I still love. Also, this book was a compact 279 pages, as opposed to the majority of her other books which are over 1,000 pages on my Nook. However, talk about a book that sticks to a formula.

My biggest and probably only complaint about this book is that the hero falls into the exact same speech pattern as do ALL of her male characters. I simply don’t understand why they all have to speak the same way, which is to say they are unable to form complete sentences. It’s a cross between slang and Neanderthal; hence, a dialect I am not familiar with? It also forces all of her male characters to take on the same mannerisms, which is a bummer. The characters she creates have so much depth to them. The back stories that she gives them are intricate and compelling. It’s almost as though she puts so much into building up the character’s history, she runs out of steam and by mid-book, and they revert to becoming the same person in every series. I’d say the background and depth she gives the characters is what keeps me coming back. That, and I love the fact that the characters from her other books and series cross over. It’s so fun to see them again. And all of the books are light-hearted and humorous. And then there’s that whole Colorado biker thing I’m attracted to. Ok, clearly I just like her books.

The first book in this new series is about Tabby and Shy. We were introduced to them in the last (so far) of the Dream Man series, Motorcycle Man. Tabby is Tack’s daughter and Shy is Tack’s brother in the Chaos Motorcycle Club, of which, Tack is the president. We saw this pairing coming a mile away. But boy did it not happen entirely as expected. Tabby, while the ‘Princess’ of Chaos, is a nurse and actually has a pretty good head on her shoulders. Now, of course, anyone who’s seen Sons of Anarchy, which is mentioned in the book, has to think of Tara and Jax. I have only been able to watch a handful of episodes so I’m not all that familiar with what’s going on, on the show; other than I know Jax is in a motorcycle club and Tara, his woman, is a doctor. As such, I can’t speak to any other similarities that may or may not exist.

Tabby and Shy finally come together, but it’s not easy. And after they are together, that’s not easy either. But it’s good. And it was nice that the heroine in this book didn’t get kidnapped, or beat up, or have to be saved. That was a nice departure from ‘the formula.’ But there was still more than enough drama and Kristen has set up the books to come. There was a happily ever after and I can’t wait to see them in future books. We already know the next book is going to be about Lanie and Hop. She’s a glamour girl and he’s a biker in Chaos. So that should be a lot of fun. (See…you can be all ‘buttoned up’ and still be a biker babe. There is totally hope for me yet!)

With a Heavy Heart…

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heavy heartI spent Friday morning and part of the afternoon attending the home going service (aka–funeral) for someone who was special to me. Evangelist Linda passed away Saturday before last, after battling cancer for several years. I’ve mentioned my church in past posts, Mt. Calvary AME Church in Towson, MD, and for me, Minister Linda was a big part of that church. You also could argue that she was an integral part of my joining Mt. Calvary.

Three years ago, I went to an 8am service and felt the spirit move me to join. Minister Linda came over to me when the doors of the church were opened and I declined, that day. The following week, I went back. That Sunday, I decided to join. The lady in front of me offered to walk with me to the altar and we only got about 2 steps before Minister Linda came and got me. I always say, “she walked with me,” and if for no other reason, she will always be special to me for that.

As time I went on, I got to know her a little better. I attended a few evangelism ministry meetings and learned that while marketing was not her profession, she had such a talent for it. So much so, that during one meeting I told her she needed to get into the field. Thankfully, she didn’t listen to me. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy my profession and the world of marketing–but Minister Linda touched more lives with her dedication to the Lord, her dancing, and her work with children than anything she could’ve accomplished in the field of marketing; she clearly knew her place in the world better than I.

I can truly say that I am glad her suffering is over and that she can be at peace now. I’m sure that she didn’t want to leave her family and friends behind, most of all her husband and 2 children. She touched my life more than I think I ever expressed and I know that now as she dances in Heaven, what I didn’t say while she was here on earth, she knows what was in my heart. She once asked if I would help her start a blog and of course, I told her yes. Unfortunately, we didn’t make that happen so I think it’s only fitting that I blog about her.

She was a beautiful lady with a beautiful spirit and I will miss her. I had a thought after the services today that now, she’s in Heaven with my mother. I can’t think of a better place for them to meet. Two incredible women who loved the Lord and weren’t afraid to outwardly share that love with the world. I love and miss you both.

Book Review: Lover At Last

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I declared my love for the Black Dagger Brotherhood series in this blog a while ago. That hasn’t changed. The latest book, Lover At Last, number 11, came out (you’ll get the pun later) a few weeks ago. For anyone who has read the books, they know that for many readers this one was a long time coming. Each book usually focuses on one of the ‘brothers’ or someone in their world and then has another story arc or two going along side it. This book was about the long-awaited (for many) love story of Quinn and Blaylock (Blay). The twist on this pairing–Quay as devoted fans call them–is they are gay. While both are warriors within the Brotherhood, this book was not a heterosexual story–and for me, that was tough.Lover-At-Last-J.R.-Ward-e1339202451444

All of the books are known for being steamy, to say the least, and this one, while a bit tamer, did not disappoint in that area–but it was male on male. I found that I did not enjoy this book as much as most of the others. I applaud J.R. Ward for giving readers what they want and for tackling the tough subject matter. I think she did an exceptional job staying true to the characters, story lines, and her writing style. The tender moments between Quinn and Blay felt real, as did the way J.R. Ward incorporated their long history. I also think she knew that she was heading into touch territory (no pun intended). As such, I think J.R. Ward tried to over compensate for the readers that were not as appreciative of the gay romance by adding significantly more story arcs than normal. This book had not 1, 2, or even 3 other story lines going on, it had 7; yes, SEVEN–in total.

  • The Quinn and Blay love story
  • The budding romance between Sola and Assail
  • Xcor’s determination to take over the throne
  • Xcor’s love for/and connection to Layla (and vice versa)
  • Layla’s pregnancy
  • Beth’s ‘curiosity’ with Layla’s pregnancy
  • Trez’s avoidance of his prearranged marriage and what he and iAM were doing to manage that, including Trez’s infatuation with The Chosen, Selena

Of the reviews that I’ve read, quite a few readers found the other arcs extremely distracting. And to a degree, I agree. But I have to say I welcomed them and look forward to where some of them are headed. (I read that the next book, due in 2014, is going to be called, The King, and will be about Wrath (my all-time favorite character in the series, marginally inching out Zsadist) and Beth trying to have a baby. I am beyond excited for that one!!! I’m also intrigued by Assail. And Xcor’s love for Layla makes me not hate him as much–though he continuously plots against Wrath, so my distaste for him is only mildly squelched. I would be remiss in mentioning that J.R. Ward has a habit of bringing back characters that people often forget about. Several books ago, she brought to light a love story between Xhex and one of her past lovers that went insane and is now haunting an old bed and breakfast in the middle of nowhere. Clever J.R. Ward, I haven’t forgotten…

On the whole, this book was not one of my favorites, but I am excited for what’s to come. I do miss seeing more of the brothers and their interactions because quite frankly, they’re hilarious and I love them. This book also strayed from the action and fighting we usually see with the Lessers; which normally, I can do without but, come on, this is about a vampire war going on. J.R. Ward has done a great job of keeping the series fresh, adding new characters, extending story lines, and keeping her loyal and devoted fans wanting more. I didn’t devour this book in 2 days like I’ve been known to do with this series, but 2014 and the next installment can’t get here soon enough!

 

How to Manage Your Personal Brand

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Personal Branding Social NetworkHave you ever worked for someone who wasn’t well-respected? They’re in a management position but they aren’t regarded well by their manager or their peers?  Have you ever wondered how this affects you? When you work for someone whom everyone respects, it’s normal to feel safe, secure, and with the right skills–to have a sense of confidence in climbing the corporate ladder. But what if no one gives your manager a second thought, or worse, what if that person falls out of favor in the eyes of higher-ups? Essentially, what does it mean when a shadow has been cast on you because your manager’s brand has gone south? And more importantly, what can you do about it?

First and foremost, it goes without saying–always do your job to the best of your abilities. Regardless of what’s happening with you, your manager, or your company, always maintain a strong work ethic and don’t just do your job–do your job well. Not only does this instill a sense of personal pride and help you get through the day knowing you’ve done the best you can do, it’s also a CYA measure so no one can come back and say you were slacking. Now, trust me, I know this can be difficult when you’re watching those around you being promoted, assigned  to special projects, and getting recognized by the higher-ups–all while you sit in a drab, windowless cube performing job functions you could do in your sleep. But doing your best work is a must, that’s the prerequisite and constant to everything else.

Set yourself apart from your manager. Diplomatically, make your manager aware of what your interests are, or ask about other areas of the firm where you could ‘shadow’ someone to gain exposure and build your skill set. Any decent manager is going to want their team members to thrive and grow, so from a professional development standpoint–they should support this. It also provides you with the opportunity to talk to other people without offending or upsetting your manager. Besides, if you look good, they look good. But when you look good, you look good.

Find a well-respected mentor, whether it’s formally or informally. Quite often, firms have formal mentoring programs, and if yours does and you can get in it, do it. However, most of the time it’s not that easy–especially if you’re in the aforementioned ‘no one respects my manager’ group. So appoint one for yourself. If there is someone whom you respect and admire–ask if they would be willing to work with you. Most anyone can find 30-minutes every other month for coffee, or a 1-hour block for lunch every quarter. Present challenges to them and ask advice, find out how they’ve navigated their career both inside and outside the company, and take advantage of what they’ve learned along the way and use their experiences for your good.

Network. I know, everyone says network, network, network; but it’s important and it’s true. People shift jobs and firms all the time and you never know where someone is going to land and they just might be your ticket when it’s time for you to transition. Coffee, lunch,  information gathering sessions, and even happy hours are ideal when you know a department or individual you want to get in front of. And make sure you’re doing this not only inside your own department, but outside of it too. Externally: Conferences and seminars are prime opportunities to expand your personal and professional network and they don’t have to be approached as having to make a forced connection. Compliment someone on a piece of jewelry or article of clothing. Ask a question about one of the speakers. Share an arbitrary insight you’ve learned from one of the conference sessions. Or, comment on the facility, weather, or the food. Networking is really no more than striking up a conversation with someone you don’t know, yet. Just make sure you’re open to being approached and not hiding under a potted plant waiting for the event to end. (Yes, I’ve seen this happen.)

Build your portfolio. You may be thinking that you’re not an artist, writer, or creative type–don’t be so literal, it doesn’t have to be a tangible portfolio. Maybe you’re a runner–then run. Do races for causes (also a great opportunity to network). Volunteer for your local animal shelter. Embrace your interests outside of work. Doing things that bring you personal satisfaction is not only a great way to stay fulfilled, it shows companies that you’re not one-dimensional. Remember all that talk about being well-rounded? Well it’s true. In this day and age, people have to work harder than ever to differentiate themselves from the crowd. Not everyone can do a 5k, draw, create a website, write a children’s book, whatever. Embrace your talents and let people know about them at the proverbial water cooler when they ask what you did over the weekend. Share that you read your latest short story to the kids at the library over the weekend. Things like that get around, in a good way.

Like anything worth having and keeping, building your personal brand takes dedication and work, but in the end it’s very rewarding. Not only will you feel good about your career, you’ll feel good about yourself. Plus, the intangible perks that arise are invaluable, like: you find out about an awesome babysitting service, a well-kept secret boutique that always has designer handbags on sale, where to get cheap tickets for the best seats to sporting events, or an awesome local band to go see on a Sat. night. At the end of the day, your career is your responsibility, manage it well.

TV Marketing Ploys–Do They Work?

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4.1.1There aren’t many shows that I stay up-to-date on. Actually, there are 3 to be exact: The Following, Scandal, and Criminal Minds. I could go on and on about my love for each show–and actually did about Scandal in an earlier post, but that’s not why we’re here today… Speaking of Scandal…

As far as I know, and from everything I see on Twitter and Facebook–Scandal has been received incredibly well by viewers–men and women alike. (Ok, men are primarily watching because Kerri Washington is beautiful, but whatever…) The show is really good. The writing is awesome. The cast is great. The storylines keep you guessing and coming back for more, week after week…even when there are many weeks in between new episodes–which brings me to this question: Why the delay?

Scandal has had three new episodes in the last 3 weeks and viewers will now have to wait three more weeks before they find out what happens next. This isn’t the first 3-week hiatus Scandal has had, prior to the 3 new episodes it had been a month, a full 4-weeks in between new episodes. Now, I pose the question, is ABC doing this intentionally to keep viewers intrigued? Or, do they have severe scheduling conflicts? Or, are they trying to drag things out until sweeps and/or the end of the season? And above all, is it working?

I am an avid viewer–again, it’s one of the 3 shows I’m committed to, but I do find this frustrating. And as a marketer, I have to wonder if the scheduling is indeed a ploy. However, other than viewer frustration, what is it accomplishing? I am accustomed, as we all are, to a rerun every now and again. But when it becomes weeks, don’t you run the risk of people losing interest? Becoming fed up? Or, in the world of On Demand, Netflix, Hulu, and most networks offering their shows for free online–why not just wait until the season is over and then catch up all at once without the agony and nonsense of waiting weeks to find out what’s going to happen. It’s almost as though ABC is trying to create a cliffhanger–every week. (On some level, they’re succeeding.)

For now, it seems all of the people I know are hanging in there with the show, myself included. Maybe ABC is an absolute genius in how it’s approaching this. After all, Scandal achieved its highest Nielsen ratings with the March 21st episode–after the 1 month break. Personally, I think this is a gamble. There are some pretty good scripted shows on tv these days, other networks, pay channels, and stations like FX (think Sons of Anarchy) and even PBS (anyone heard of Downton Abbey?). While on the subject of Downton Abbey, it is on my ‘to start watching’ list and it’s my understanding that they have a full year between seasons. Plenty of time for me to catch up.  That’s a long break–but it’s an award-winning show.

In a world where ‘now’ means ‘now’ and the short attention spans of viewers, is ABC’s strategy friend or foe? I guess time–and the ratings–will tell.

(For those who watch Scandal–since Cyrus is my favorite character on the show–no, he is NOT the mole…he can’t be!)

The Importance of Staying Relevant

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Stay Relevant with Vehicle Wraps and Graphics-resized-600Have you ever noticed that some of the most entertaining commercials on tv are for things we don’t really need to buy every day? I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but some of the most memorable commercials–good or bad–are those about insurance. Not cookies, not furniture, not some other product, but–insurance.

Farmers Insurance has done a fabulous job of staying relevant and top of mind. They run commercials on how to put out grease fires, the time of year when cars are most often broken into, how trampolines may increase your premiums–who would’ve thought that insurance would be something you would think about after you’ve committed to a company, paid your premium, and moved on to the activities of everyday life. Not to mention, the commercials have a great sense of humor.

Progressive Insurance. Does anyone even remember life before Flo? And I have to admit, most of the time I find her hokey and annoying, but still–I know who she is and which company she represents. My 81-year-old father knows who she is! And for the record, Progressive Insurance has been around since 1937, clearly long before Flo.

And do I even need to go into the king of all insurance company commercials–Gecko, I mean, Geico. Downloadable ringtones, YouTube videos…all for an insurance company.

I once heard that Ashton Kutcher said part of the way to stay relevant is to entertain. Not exactly profound wisdom, but true. If insurance companies are heeding this advice–and it’s working–what does that say about companies that are selling tangible products and services that are used every day?

I think it means companies have to work that much harder–myself included. Finding your niche, angle, point-of-entry, whatever it may be, to differentiate you from your competitors has become critical. We all know that today, consumers have less trust in advertising than ever. But be encouraged, if insurance companies can stay relevant and on the cutting edge, with some effort, imagine what your products and services can achieve.

Create Your Ideal Work Space

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Home OfficeI’ve been a bit of a vagabond today. I have a lot of irons in the fire and I needed to be in an environment where I could:

  • focus
  • be free of distractions
  • have open space so I could spread out if I needed to (I come with a lot of devices: iPad, MacBook, paper planner, bottle of water, etc.–hence why my new Kate Spade green super tote always weighs 800lbs., but I digress…)
  • have lots of light
  • free WiFi
  • plug-in

In short, I couldn’t be home. There, I would play with Sarge. I’d be tempted to catch up on Scandal or my many cooking shows. I’d start to focus on the many home projects that needed to be done–thus making me depressed. The interesting thing is, I don’t feel guilty about leaving. I don’t love my home–I love that I have a home–but my house and I have a serious love/hate relationship–that’s a post for another day. So, I set out to find a place that had the aforementioned characteristics so I could really thrive and get things done.

First attempt, Starbucks inside Barnes&Noble. I got a stuffed pretzel–delish–and a bottle of water, and then the search began… I looked high and low for an outlet to plug-in because my laptop battery was in the red zone at 18% and needed some juice. No such luck. I’m still baffled by this. I simply don’t understand. Are outlets at a premium these days? Isn’t there some kind of building law that all walls need an outlet, twice as many in Starbucks??? (Ok, maybe that last part is a bit of a reach.) I realize I was technically in a book store, but come on, this was Starbucks in a book store. People go there to be surrounded by books, activity, people, coffee, snacks, white noise, and music you love to hate. When I began to fear that my laptop would give out, I packed up and moved on to my next location…

The new Owings Mills library at the Metro Station. Now, I, personally, am still trying to truly see the vision that’s unfolding for the future of the Metro Station, but whatever. The library is AWESOME!!! And it’s not just the newness, though I can’t lie, it’s like new car smell–very exciting, you get a rush. It’s 3 floors of books, rooms, computers, people–and in the 3rd floor quiet room–LIGHT! Tons and tons of windows to enjoy the natural light and see the outside world. Not to mention table top outlets every 3 feet. Perfection!

Emails have been answered. A project planning worksheet has been created. This blog post is being written. Does it get any better than this?!?!?

And then, my stomach growled. The stuffed pretzel has apparently worn off. The 2nd bottle of water is not keeping the hunger pangs at bay. Sadly, I must leave my new-found place of solace and all things wonderful and go in search of food–and an outlet. So the quest continues… But before I go in search of my next electrical adventure, I leave you with this…

I remember a friend of mine decided to spiffy up her work space, before she left the company we worked for and went out on her own. I thought it was the coolest thing that the plant she had sitting on her desk, in her cube, had a gold fish in it. She actually had a fish on her desk! And why not? We spend a lot of time at work, why not make your surroundings as enjoyable as possible. The same should be said of your work space at home or wherever you are. If it means real flowers, fake flowers, or a gold fish on your desk, so be it. And sometimes, that means going outside the home. Personally, I need light. Lots and lots of light (I guess this makes me somewhat plant like…) and a lot of open space (this is why my cousin thinks I don’t like furniture–just call me a minimalist). I can handle almost all other specifications not being met (with maybe the exception of the outlet) as long as I have light and space. Find the space that lets you thrive–even if you have to create it. Now, I’m going to find something to eat.

3 Steps to Finding the Right Conference

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Business_conferenceAs part of my personal and professional development, each year I am required to attend classes, seminars, conferences, etc. Over time, I have successfully attended some of the worst conferences ever held. Stayed in some of the most horrid hotels. And been everything from enlightened and bored from the materials being presented to downright frightened by the accommodations I’ve stayed in. At this point, I consider myself to be a bit of an expert on when to travel for a conference, what to look for in the offerings, questions to ask, and how to get the most from your overall experience.

1. Do Your Homework
This may seem obvious, but it is often overlooked. In the past, I have Googled the kind of conference I was looking for–email, content, whatever. Looked at the cost, date, and location, assessed if my company would pay for it and then booked. Do NOT do this. This is how I wound up in a hotel off the beaten path in Chicago, that was a 20 minute walk from the ‘conference’ that was actually a 12 person class at The University of Phoenix. (I did get a certification out of it though.)

Ask co-workers if they’ve ever attended a conference you’re interested in and what they thought of it. Google the conference and look at reviews from past events. Call the conference organizers and find out how many people are registered to attend. Google the speakers and find out about their organizations, companies, position, and credentials. (Keep in mind, the bio provided by the organizers is only going to reflect the best possible info. since they want to entice you to attend.) Ask the organizer if they offer a discount on the price of the conference. I received a 50% discount off the price of the most recent conference I attended, and they even held that discount after it supposedly expired, until my manager was back in the office to approve it.

2. Look for Reputable Area Hotels
This may see obvious, but it has gotten me in trouble on more than one ocassion. The last hotel I stayed in was recommended by the conference because it was also the conference location. They also offered a discount on the room rate. Do NOT fall for this. Now, it’s fine of it’s being held at say a Marriott. But my last conference was held at a boutique hotel that had undergone renovations 1-2 years prior to my stay. Seriously??? The fact that it had the first Vizio flat screen tv model and a blue frosted glass wall meant it was an executive room. Never mind that it was so unsafe that one of the people at the conference put a chair under her adjoining room door because the people next to her were drunk and trying to get into her room on the first night. And that was after she switched rooms! My own company offered to pay 2x the firm’s room allowance to move me to another hotel for safety reasons. Two words: Trip Advisor. When 418 people have rated a hotel ‘terrible,’ believe them.

3. Consider When You Travel
This has not been a consideration for me at all in the past. Mark my words, that has now changed. I just spent the last 4 days at a conference in Miami Beach, in March, (i.e. spring break). Not only did the time of year affect the type of people staying in my hotel–college kids–but it also affected attempts to get a cab, the crowds in restaurants, and what the weather was like. Also, be mindful of what else is going on in the city you’re staying in. There was a music festival, Miami Heat home games, and a tennis tournament all taking place the same week as the conference I was attending. Moving to another hotel wasn’t really an option. Last year, I went to a conference in Chicago during the month of November. While, everything went relatively smoothly, the weather in Chitown could have delayed my flight, impeding my travel. The Miami trip also impacted packing. It’s 20 degrees and snowing/raining at home, but 77-84 in Miami. If you don’t want to check bags, packing for two climates makes that challenging.

Of course, there may be times when you have to travel to Minneapolis in the dead of winter in order to fulfill a continuing education requirement–and seriously, if that’s the case, consider a different career(kidding!, sort of)–and you can’t employ these steps. But with a little concerted effort, you can maximize the benefits of any conference you attend. If all else fails, make the most of it; and regardless–network, network, network!!!

The Deauville Beach Resort: Just Say No…

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deauvilleSo much can be said of the hotel I just stayed in for a conference…sadly, none of it is good. I mean, what does one call a hotel where the AC in the conference room has two settings–on and off? You call it, The Deauville Beach Resort in Miami Beach, FL (that I will never again go to in life).

Honestly, I don’t know where to begin. When one of the conference speakers tells you that the hotel you’re staying in is crap, and he’s flown in for the day and hasn’t even been on the elevator, let alone a room–that’s saying something. Yes, he really said the hotel, and it’s website, were crap. Of course, if he had gotten on the elevator and stayed in a room, here are some if the things he would’ve experienced. (No names have been changed because there is no innocence to be protected here.)

The ‘executive room’–and I use that term loosely, as in looser than Jennifer Hudson trying to wear her Dream Girl’s movie pants post Weight Watchers–was deemed such because it had one of the first Vizio flat screen tv’s ever made and a blue frosted bathroom wall. The bathroom by the way had no soap dishes and no towel rack. But then who really needs a towel rack when the hotel has run out of wash cloths the last two days you’re there. Guess not enough people were drinking the 16 oz., $6.00 bottle of water left in the room and they couldn’t afford more small towels. Or comforters for that matter, because all you were supplied with for bedding were sheets. If you really needed warmth there was always that thin fleece blanket in the non-closet to wrap up in.

But really, you weren’t going to get much sleep anyway because the Latin dance party in the room next to you started at 4am and 5:23am each morning–complete with DJ. The walls were so thin it was like they were in the room with you. Of course, in the case of one of my fellow conference attendees, the people in the room next to her tried to come into her room by jiggling the doorknob on the adjoining room door. Since this ‘luxury’ hotel was sold out, she proceeded to put a chair under the knob just to be safe. Speaking of safe, when your firm offers to move you to a hotel that costs 2x the allowable company budget to make sure you’re safe, take them up on it. (But then the fodder for your blog post would be limited.)

I’m sure the attendees whose rooms the Deauville accidentally gave away in the middle of the day, which was only discovered because their room keys didn’t work when they tried them on a break, would’ve appreciated my company’s room relocation offer. Seriously, they had to spend 45 minutes convincing the staff to let them stay. I’m still shaking my head at that one. Which is not to imply that I’m not shaking my head at the ladies who only had one light source in their room in the form of a floor lamp, or the woman who tried to check in early and was told no, with no further explanation, no offer to hold luggage, and no direction on how to find a bellman to ask herself. And certainly I’m still in awe at the woman who went to happy hour with the group and was asked to prove that she had only had 1 of her 2 for 1 drinks and could still get the special price.

But all of that aside, you could argue that at least the conference was worth it, right? The conference where the moderator could only stay for most of the first day because he had to fly back to Los Angeles at the last-minute because of a client emergency, leaving us without an MC. The conference that didn’t order enough coffee and ran out both days. Coffee. It’s a hotel with a restaurant in it, how do you run out of coffee? Then again, a shortage of coffee was the least of the organizers concerns considering 3 of the speakers didn’t show up. Gee, I wonder why…

Thankfully, when all was said and done, the speakers that did show were great and provided a wealth of information. The opportunity to network with the speakers and attendees was invaluable and they were all good-natured and wonderful people. The spring breakers literally running through the halls couldn’t detract from the 70+ degree weather, especially since it’s 20 degrees with snow on the way here in MD.

In the end, all you can do is keep a good attitude (including a healthy sense of humor), learn what you can, enjoy the people you’re with, and blog to warn others.

Stay tuned…steps to finding the perfect conference are on the way. (Clearly, I have a vast amount of experience in this area on what NOT to do.)