Location: Blogs Dean's Planner Blog |
 |
Posted by: Dean Jones
Tuesday, September 02, 2008 |
|
Not long ago, while working on site at an event, I received ‘the call.” You know the one—when the phone rings at an unusual time and you receive news that’s unexpected. Sometimes it comes at 2 a.m. Sometimes it involves a loved one or acquaintance. Sometimes it involves a tragic accident or bad news. Mine came at about 6 p.m. from my wife.
I was 500 miles from home on a Friday night; I had just arrived on site to help produce a patriotic festival for Laclede County, Missouri. About 15,000 people were expected on Sunday evening and I had about a week’s worth of work to complete in 36 hours. We’ve all been there. What do you do in the midst of crisis?
Most of us have developed contingency plans for our events. We’ve thought through plan B and know what to do when an attendee suffers a heart attack, severe weather hits, or a power failure occurs. But few of us are prepared for plan B when it affects us personally.
My wife called on Friday evening from the emergency room of the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. I knew my daughter had a doctor’s visit earlier that same day, but the ER visit was quite unexpected. The pediatrician had diagnosed my 13-year-old daughter with type-1 diabetes. He immediately sent my daughter and wife to the hospital for further testing and treatment. What was I supposed to do? I was torn between my commitment to my family and to the event. The sponsoring organization of the festival gave me permission to return home, but my wife encouraged me to stay put. I knew they would be well cared for by family and friends.
It’s impossible to place a value on friendships and relationships. They are simply invaluable. After my return home, I began to relay my family’s experience with colleagues and industry friends. The response was overwhelming. While I wasn’t looking for sympathy, it was refreshing to witness an outpouring of concern and support. I learned of many who had experienced the same diagnosis in their own family; many shared advice; others offered their prayers.
The close-knit hospitality community in which I work is one that offers support and encouragement— professionally and personally. Over the past 20 years my life has been enhanced and improved by my affiliation and relationship with many of you. Thanks!
In case you’re wondering, I stayed at the event (with my family’s blessing), 20,000 people attended the festival, and I rushed home on Monday. My daughter is adjusting to her new diagnosis, and while life is now different for her and us, life is good!
Be careful out there! |
|
| Permalink |
Trackback |
Comments (4)
Add Comment
|
Re: Learning From Mistakes |
By Randy Bryant on
Thursday, June 12, 2008 |
| Great thoughts! We've all been there, haven't we. Even if they are not our mistakes, we can certainly learn from them. |
|
|
Re: Learning From Mistakes |
By Chrysta Bolinger on
Thursday, June 12, 2008 |
| Great blog, Dean. I agree with Randy, we've all been there. Thanks for the reminder that we can always benefit from a mistake! Peace, Chrysta |
|
|
Re: Learning From Mistakes |
By Todd Morris on
Friday, June 20, 2008 |
| Dean, you’ve proven once again that not only are you a great meeting planner, you're also are good friend. Too bad somebody had you traveling all week; you probably could have foreseen your neighbor’s pitfalls ahead of time. Betty luck next time! Lists are the backbone of good planning. Not just a list but a working list, one that is constantly evolving and getting better. |
|
|
Re: Getting "The Call" |
By Kevin Brooks on
Thursday, September 18, 2008 |
| Dean, kudos on your recent article "Getting the Call". And yes, as the other replies have said, we've all gotten that same call. Thank you for leading by example and for offering true transparency in this growing world of smoke and mirrors. <br><br>Your friend,<br>Zach and Elizabeth Brooks' Dad |
|
 Welcome to Dean's Blog
| Location: BlogsDean's Planner Blog |
|
Posted by: Dean Jones
Tuesday, September 02, 2008 |
|
Not long ago, while working on site at an event, I received ‘the call.” You know the one—when the phone rings at an unusual time and you receive news that’s unexpected. Sometimes it comes at 2 a.m. Sometimes it involves a loved one or acquaintance. Sometimes it involves a tragic accident or bad news. Mine came at about 6 p.m. from my wife.
I was 500 miles from home on a Friday night; I had just arrived on site to help produce a patriotic festival for Laclede County, Missouri. About 15,000 people were expected on Sunday evening and I had about a week’s worth of work to complete in 36 hours. We’ve all been there. What do you do in the midst of crisis?
Most of us have developed contingency plans for our events. We’ve thought through plan B and know what to do when an attendee suffers a heart attack, severe weather hits, or a power failure occurs. But few of us are prepared for plan B when it affects us personally.
My wife called on Friday evening from the emergency room of the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. I knew my daughter had a doctor’s visit earlier that same day, but the ER visit was quite unexpected. The pediatrician had diagnosed my 13-year-old daughter with type-1 diabetes. He immediately sent my daughter and wife to the hospital for further testing and treatment. What was I supposed to do? I was torn between my commitment to my family and to the event. The sponsoring organization of the festival gave me permission to return home, but my wife encouraged me to stay put. I knew they would be well cared for by family and friends.
It’s impossible to place a value on friendships and relationships. They are simply invaluable. After my return home, I began to relay my family’s experience with colleagues and industry friends. The response was overwhelming. While I wasn’t looking for sympathy, it was refreshing to witness an outpouring of concern and support. I learned of many who had experienced the same diagnosis in their own family; many shared advice; others offered their prayers.
The close-knit hospitality community in which I work is one that offers support and encouragement— professionally and personally. Over the past 20 years my life has been enhanced and improved by my affiliation and relationship with many of you. Thanks!
In case you’re wondering, I stayed at the event (with my family’s blessing), 20,000 people attended the festival, and I rushed home on Monday. My daughter is adjusting to her new diagnosis, and while life is now different for her and us, life is good!
Be careful out there! |
|
| Permalink |
Trackback |
Comments (4)
Add Comment
|
Re: Learning From Mistakes |
By Randy Bryant on
Thursday, June 12, 2008 |
| Great thoughts! We've all been there, haven't we. Even if they are not our mistakes, we can certainly learn from them. |
|
|
Re: Learning From Mistakes |
By Chrysta Bolinger on
Thursday, June 12, 2008 |
| Great blog, Dean. I agree with Randy, we've all been there. Thanks for the reminder that we can always benefit from a mistake! Peace, Chrysta |
|
|
Re: Learning From Mistakes |
By Todd Morris on
Friday, June 20, 2008 |
| Dean, you’ve proven once again that not only are you a great meeting planner, you're also are good friend. Too bad somebody had you traveling all week; you probably could have foreseen your neighbor’s pitfalls ahead of time. Betty luck next time! Lists are the backbone of good planning. Not just a list but a working list, one that is constantly evolving and getting better. |
|
|
Re: Getting "The Call" |
By Kevin Brooks on
Thursday, September 18, 2008 |
| Dean, kudos on your recent article "Getting the Call". And yes, as the other replies have said, we've all gotten that same call. Thank you for leading by example and for offering true transparency in this growing world of smoke and mirrors. <br><br>Your friend,<br>Zach and Elizabeth Brooks' Dad |
|
|
|
|