nedsjotw.com

Ned: I'm taking the Acela to NYC. It's the American version of the Bullet train. I expect to get shot at when we go through Baltimore and Philly.

How about you, how are you getting there?

Mike: I am going by a more traditional method. I am taking advantage of low gas prices and driving up. Including gas, tolls, etc., I’m guessing that it will cost me about $12,500.

Ned: I'm proctoring the accreditation exam, helping to chair the accreditation council meeting, and presenting at two sessions. What are you doing this year?

Mike: I am staffing the Dine-Around table on Monday.

Ned: That’s it?

Mike: I’m keeping a low profile. You don’t want to be too visible volunteering at IABC conferences, because the powers-that-be interpret that as enthusiasm, and the next thing you know, you’re chapter president, then regional treasurer, then regional director, then Foundation chairman, then IABC Chairman and then they’re handing you this “IABC Fellow” award and you can’t remember the past 10 years of your life and your kids don’t even recognize you when you walk in the door.

Ned:

Mike: Or so I’ve heard.

Ned: So Dine-Around table it is.

Mike: Yeah, it should be fairly easy.

Ned: That’s not what I heard. I heard coordinating all of those restaurants and matching the attendees’ requests can be challenging.

Mike: That’s why I’m simplifying. We’re only going to have one restaurant: Mama Leone’s on West 48th Street.

Ned: That’s the second time already in this blog that you’ve mentioned Mama Leone’s. Are they paying you to mention them?

Mike: Ned…how dare you suggest that the good folks at Mama Leone’s (http://www.newyorkfirst.com/gifts/9071.html) have paid for my conference registration and provided me with transportation reimbursement and a modest daily stipend!

Ned: I didn’t.

Mike: Of course you didn’t.

Ned: Anyway, having only one restaurant doesn’t seem practical. You can’t have 700 people going to Mama Leone’s.

Mike: I’ve thought of that. There’s a McDonald’s a block away that can handle the overflow.