Highlights of 2019
Looking back on 2019, here are some of my highlights. (I’m not including reports about EXHIBITORLIVE, since that is already well documented in previous posts.)
Comic-Con International San Diego
As some of you know, Neal and I own a small creative business, Swords & Circuitry Studios. We are storytellers, for film, audio drama, computer games, and more. We promote S&C by being visible at various events each year, including at Comic-Con International in San Diego, and by organizing panels that our audience finds compelling.
We had two panels at Comic-Con this year, one on podcasting, moderated by Neal, and one on writing for computer games, moderated by me. These are topics we often cover, with variations on panelists, as they are in-demand topics. Many attendees are aspiring writers and podcasters.
Ready to moderate the “Designing Narrative for Computer Games” panel at San Diego Comic-Con International, July 19th, 2019.
Our distinguished narrative design panelists: Neal Hallford; Anne Toole, Xavalier Nelson, Jr.; John Zuur Platen; Desiree Proctor; and Erica Harrell.
Portfolio Power Working Weekend, San Diego
Portfolio Power Working Weekend participants in San Diego, July 27, 2019.
Candidates in the Certified Trade Show Marketer program must successfully complete a portfolio documenting their work as a requirement for certification. Jobs and other aspects of daily life can make that a challenge. A group of candidates gathered in San Diego the last weekend of July 2019 for distraction-free work on their portfolios. I’ve been an on-site advisor for this many times, but this was the first time I led the workshop, along with fellow CTSM Diamond Janice Breuer, and Christine Sionne, who is at the Gold Level and well on her way to reaching Diamond status. Outgoing director Janice Nelson called in for questions.
American Chemical Society, San Diego
My smart big sister Dr. Mary Ondrechen is a distinguished chemist, university professor and researcher. I am a trade show professional. For the first time, we were both at the same trade show: the American Chemical Society conference in San Diego (our hometown) in August.
Somehow in all the excitement we didn’t get a photo together, but we did each get a photo with one of the Society’s cute mascots.
The quiet before the show!
Meg A. Mole with my sister Mary.
With Meg A Mole at the American Chemical Society Conference.
My sister liked this T-shirt.
Recording for an Upcoming Audio Series
Recording another audio drama, September 2019. Swords & Circuitry is creating an audio drama series called “Uncharted Regions.” (Think Twilight Zone in audio format.)
EXHIBITOR FastTrak Denver
The EXHIBITOR FastTrak conference in Denver was at The Curtis. This hotel had a fun, retro-inspired vibe. (Our floor had a hallway with a “hair” theme -- a big portrait of Marge Simpson with her signature blue beehive, “hair band” guys, and more. Another floor featured old-school record players.) It was a good venue for a small conference. Neal accompanied me for this short trip.
Bob Milam and I presented our session on exhibiting for companies with niche markets and long sales cycles. Before that, I attended two sessions. So many CTSM candidates reference Jerry Gerson’s “Basic Project Management and Reporting Skills” I took it again just to refresh the information. The other was about events.
As always, I loved talking to attendees about the CTSM program, and am now advising two of them.
After the sessions, Neal and I took part in a Downtown Denver Walking Tour networking event with many of the FastTrak participants. It was fun.
Union Station, Denver.
One of the stops on our food tour: Zoe Ma Ma near Union Station.
Our flight left late the next day, so Neal and I had a chance to explore Denver a little more.
Lawrence Argent’s beloved 40-foot “Blue Bear” sculpture at the Denver Convention Center.
"The Dancers,” a pair of 50-foot high statues by Jonathan Borofsky at the Denver Performing Art Complex Sculpture Park. The Performing Arts Complex is impressive, with multiple theatres.
While Neal and I were distracted by Denver’s charm, he got a call from a journalist for an interview that had been arranged. We promptly sat down at an outdoor table at Chow Morso Osteria, and I ordered food while Neal talked. Lunch was quite good.
Tattered Cover Book Store, Denver. (Photo from their web site.) Neal first visited Denver as a child on a family road trip, and was enchanted by the book shops. This trip did not disappoint. We had a great time at Tattered Cover Book Store. It is a beautiful shop, in the historic Morey Mercantile Building. Contrary to the name, though, most of their books are new. I assume the idea is that their books will become well worn by people who love them.
A few of the books at Tattered Cover.
Courtyard with another charming Denver restaurant.