The Conference Trail

For the collective information of my impatient readers, I have been in Rochester, Minnesota for the past four days (Wednesday through Sunday). Due to the regrettable absence of an Internet connection in my hotel room, I was unable to post any blog updates during my visit to the land of 10,000 lakes. Therefore, I offer no apologies for my recent blogging activities or lack thereof.

Bweee.

Returning to the MACHE conference in 2005 (I also exhibited there last year with Wesley Strackbein) was a blessed opportunity and experience for me. This year I enjoyed the privilege of manning the Vision Forum booth with my co-worker, Michael Gobart. Together we interacted with a large percentage of the 5,200+ conference attendees, engaging many in conversation about products and issues, and answering a variety of important questions. Special kudos to Michael for being such a diligent student of the Word and for using the fruits of his studies to biblically address many relevant and timely life issues raised by customers at the Vision Forum booth.

Arriving in Rochester on Wednesday night, Michael and I set about the business of sleeping. On Thursday we picked up our inventory and setup our booth at the convention center, spending about five hours arranging our products and making our booth "presentable." When finished, we headed for dinner and then back to our hotel room where I stumbled across a Philadelphia 76ers/Miami Heat basketball game on TV, which game had less than two minutes remaining in regulation. Sweet! Much to my intense rooting delight, the Sixers proved to be eventual winners, finishing on top after an exciting overtime period. Then, like two responsible gentlemen, Michael and I called it a day and enjoyed a blessed slumber (at least I did; regrettably, Michael was beset by allergies most of the night).

Friday saw both of us at the convention center by 7:30 a.m., as we did a final "touch up" to the booth and prepared for our day. After the day’s responsibilities were complete, at 5:30 p.m. we closed shop and headed for dinner at the Macaroni Grill. Delicious!

Our last day at the conference, Saturday, passed much as the first had done. Booth traffic was consistently steady, and Michael and I found ourselves pleasantly occupied throughout the day; not too crazy, but no opportunity for boredom!

In the morning Michael was gracious enough to man the booth by himself as I walked three blocks for the purpose of procuring hot liquid from that favorite American café, Starbucks. My beverage of choice was hot chocolate, while Michael’s selection was a caramel frappuccino. I carried back to the convention center these morning wake-up concoctions, and they’re desired effect was gratefully not in vain.

Upon the exhibit hall’s closing at 5:30 p.m., Michael and I packed the remaining inventory, arranged for the shipping of our products to San Antonio, and headed back to the Macaroni Grill for dinner. Again, delicious.

As I finish this post on Sunday I am sitting with Michael in the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport in the midst of a three-hour flight layover. Our MACHE conference journey will end, Lord willing, around 4:30 p.m. this afternoon when we arrive back in San Antonio.

Praise be to the Lord for His care and provision for Michael and I as we ministered with and to the saints of Minnesota this past weekend. Working with Michael was a genuine treat as always, and I look forward to my next opportunity to do so. I pray that my next stop on the conference trail, Pennsylvania, will be as successful and enjoyable as was Minnesota.

Below are a few pictures from my journey. Enjoy!