The Report
Playing games, selling product, and having a good time. That's my finger pointing to the "F" in Faster, Cheaper, Better.
Re-setting the booth and cleaning up as we prepare for Day Two.
by Matthew Richter
I have to say that one of my favorite activities every year is attending the ATD (formerly ASTD) International conference and working our expo booth. It is such a pleasure seeing old friends and making new ones.
This year, however, I was both sad and delighted when I found out Thiagi couldn't join me. Sad, because we always have fun working the booth together and I know countless people love seeing and talking with him. Delighted because he was doing a workshop in Valencia, Spain... which meant both good times for him and a means to pay for my good time in Orlando (I say moderately kidding).
Betsy and Zoe from ImprovHQ posing in front of Epcot after a busy Day One.
However, without Thiagi, I was all alone. Thankfully, Glenn Hughes, our PhotoJolts friend, said he would help out again this year. And our friends from ImprovHQ, Zoe Galvez and Betsy Crouch, joined the team to sell books, cards, and games. People were much more forgiving of Thiagi's absence with Zoe and Betsy there.
During expo hours, the booth never saw the light of day. We had so much fun doing magic, playing cards, and talking design and facilitation. We met so many new friends... Sonia and Nicholas from Portugal, David from Korea, Michelle from Tallahassee, Anne from Touch Point, Joan from Nazareth, PA, Ligo, Wally, Christiann, and so many more.
Our opening activity in FLOURISHING WITH STORYTELLING--a storytelling variation of the Hello Game.
I also ran a pre-conference session called FLOURISHING WITH STORYTELLING. While it was a small group, we had a large international contingent covering four continents. While folks were kind enough to say they learned a lot, I really learned a tremendous amount from them. I think I can safely say the favorite activity was when we told six-word stories.
Below are a few more pictures from the festivities. Thiagi and I will definitely be back next year in Denver. Betsy, Zoe, and Glenn will be joining us in the booth again. Can't wait.
Wally Su with me after the workshop.
Ligo with me also after the workshop.
Several Storytellers after the workshop.
Glenn and his marvelous wife Angie took me to dinner at Emeril's—BAM!
More booth action.
The booth team—Betsy, me, Zoe, and Glenn—as we near midday on Day Three.
Our friends from Silega were right across from us. Great folks! This is my friend Grigor Svetoslavov. They will be our neighbors again next year in Denver. Thanks for the photos, guys!
Our other neighbor and friend, William Miller from Valued Centered Innovation.
Day Three set-up.
The doors are about to open on Day Three.