This week I traveled to Denver for a meeting with the Far West Equipment Dealers Association. Normally when I have to fly, I use the Salt Lake Express shuttle. If I’m going to be gone for more than two days, it’s cheaper than driving down and paying for parking. It also means I don’t have to endure the Utah drivers. Since this was only going to be a one day meeting, I decided to drive. This would also allow me to stop and see my Mom on the way back as well. The fact that I am willing to sacrifice my safety in Utah traffic so I can see my Mom is only one of the many reasons I am the favorite. Oh yeah, to my siblings Patty and Wade: Saying you have to deal with Utah traffic all the time because you live there doesn’t count. It only makes you part of the problem!
The board members were scheduled to have a meeting at the hotel during the day, and the social hour would be at a steakhouse in downtown Denver that evening. The social hour is where the different business sponsors would get a chance to meet with the board members and the dealership members attending. I had been talking with a dealership earlier this year about training in November they told me they would be there. Also, I was told the CEO of another large dealership group wanted to meet with me to discuss training.
I was checking into the hotel when I ran into Joani. She is the president and CEO and we have been working together establishing our partnership. She has been very supportive and helpful. She told me the CEO from the large dealership group that wanted to meet with me wasn’t going to be able to make it. I also found out the other dealership wasn’t going to be there either. I must admit I was a little disappointed.
I was able to ride with a few of the board members to the steakhouse where to social hour was scheduled. I ended up sitting by the only board member I didn’t get a chance to meet in Phoenix. He explained how his flight was cancelled due to bad weather. We had a nice conversation on the way, and I was able to talk to him a little about my training programs.
We arrived at the steakhouse, and it was very nice. They had a room set up with a lot of different appetizers. The appetizers were fantastic, and I ended up having a very good opportunity to network with some of the dealers that were there. One of the dealers wants me to call him next week, and the board member I met on the way over is extremely interested in having me do some training for his parts department. What started out as a disappointment quickly turned into a very encouraging night.
Now, when I was at the first meeting in Phoenix, the appetizers were the only food provided so I assumed this would be the case for this meeting. After a couple of hours, the few dealers and the other business sponsors left, and I assumed the evening was over and we were just waiting for a ride back to the hotel. At that point, Eric who is the chairman of the FWEDA board came up to me and said, “You’re having dinner with us.” Come to find out, there was a dinner planned strictly for the FWEDA board members. I was surprised and honored to be invited. At that point I was wishing I hadn’t eaten so many appetizers, but I forced myself to enjoy the excellent meal anyway. I mean, that would have been rude not to, right?
This was a very rewarding experience and it helped me realize that even when there is a disappointing situation, never let it get me down and be prepared to take advantage of the opportunities when they present themselves. I know that’s what my Angel Shannon would tell me. I will always LOVE AND MISS YOU sweetheart.
Next week: Disneyland here we come!
P.S. How can you tell you’re at a Utah airport? When one airport shuttle driver cuts off another airport shuttle driver.