I didn't run this morning along the island like I did yesterday. I got up later than I thought. But at least I got up. Like most conventions, day two stretched long into the early morning hours. It was almost 2:30 a.m. when I finally made it back to the room...


The hearty part of the convention for me was Day Two. Like most of the conventions for me lately, my schedule showed only a few hours of free time.

Knight Ridder's corporate breakfast was very interesting. Bacon and eggs. Fruit and cereal. This particular morning, our table was joined by a particular guest: Tony Ridder. Our table was unexpectedly surprised when the CEO of our company asked if the chair was taken. Even I, who has been with KR for more than 10 years now was caught off guard.

Actually, the breakfast conversation was delightful. Mr. Ridder talked about his time in Michigan and his days at U of M. And about some of his work in the industry on some new initiatives with the NAA.

The KR breakfast is a great way to see friends in the company all in one room. It's also a great way to see corporate folks face-to-face.

Off to a panel. I'm on the panel discussing crossing over to the business side. There were a good number of folks at the panel. They asked good questions. The last few years I've been fortunate to be on a panel. This year I'm on two.

After the panel I went directly to the national awards luncheon. I was there to pick up an award for Geri Alumit Zeldes, a member of the chapter who could not attend. the lunch conflicts with a meeting I have. So on the fly I ask Amy Rao to pick up the award for us. I take the meeting and run right to the job fair.

Day one of the job fair and it's just as busy as I remember. I met several folks looking for their first job or internship. This is why we are here, to meet interesting and talented people. We work the fair hard. I spoke almost non-stop through 4:30. It
s great and I sense the nervousness on the other side of the table. And I remember what it was like being in their shoes not so long ago. I also know that by the end of the convention, many of the folks I met today will be more comfortable talking with us and other tables. And next year they will come up to the table with more confidence and less nervousness.

I run to a mid-manager's reception... run up to my room, change clothes and head to a happy hour hosted by the Washington DC chapter. They welcomed Michigan. It was a good turnout.

We got lucky. Ron Kitagawa has a car here. One thing about conventions, is that sometimes you can beat the crowd and the shuttle buses if you can find someone with a car. That was the case, five of us -- all longtime convention goers -- packed into a car and made it to the Luau place. We were there about 10 minutes before busload after busload of others came in. It was fun. We ate and were able to chat with everyone as they ate.

Back to hotel lobby which customarily is the main party. It is tonight. Lots of friends catching up... Don Villar has a pizza party in his room. He always does. The night went long, some drinks lots of laughs. It's gonna be a longer one tonight.
- posted by ron @ 9:39 AM

 
First day of the seventh or eighth AAJA convention for me. An early wake up in Detroit, to a long plane ride. The time changes and I'm eager to see folks I haven't seen in a year.

The day starts off in a hurry. The first familiar face is my old and dear friend Aki Soga. We were in ELP together that first year. We catch up and I know the next four days will be filled with recasting old times, seeing familiar faces and searching my memories for some names.

I basically ran through the lobby. Hi to Ron Kitagawa, another convention veteran. I see more friends and apologize I can't speak too long. But I know they'll all be here for the next four days. Time to catch up. I'm running to my room to change into a suit. No time to shower. I'm late. I throw some stuff in my hair to flatten my plane hair and I'm out the door. I'm buttoning my cuffs in the elevator.

First stop - ELP Luncheon. I get a seat next to Milton Coleman of the Washington Post. I've met Milton before, but to sit and listen to his stories of the Post and some of their new initiatives was fascinating.

I apologize I have to leave after the main course.

Next stop - governing board meeting. This is a really important meeting for us. We've all worked hard in Michigan to restart a chapter. A year of drumming up membership, fundraising, meetings, events comes to this moment. We are before the board with a simply excellent report of an extraordinary year. We wanted to shine and show off our accomplishments. AND WE DID.

The Michigan Chapter was unanimoulsy approved for full-chapter status. What a rush. Now the work begins. Thanks to all who've supported us and a special thanks to everyone involved in adding a gem of a chapter into the organization. Find us and get a sticker!

No time to celebrate. Still in suit and tie, I get to the next stop -- the job fair. I'm making sure the Detroit Free Press booth is set. And it is. I help my friend Jennifer Yeoman set up her booth for The Charlotte Observer. These can be complicated, thank god her's is simple. I'm at the Free Press booth for the next two days. I'm wondering who I'll see again and looking forward to meeting new people. That work is yet to begin. We take recruiting very seriously at the Free Press.

Done with the booth and finally to the room to unpack. It's about 3:30 now, 6:30 Detroit time. I'm finally taking a breath, getting into more comfortable clothes and to the ELP reception. One the way there I see more old friends, Don Villar and Wilson Toy from Chicago. They got me really involved in AAJA in 1993 when I was the Chicago board rep. They always come to the convention, and they always have have fun. Joe Newman buys me and Jennifer a drink. Good to see him again. We joke that one day we'll be sitting at the convention 20 years from now and all these kids will be running around the convention. Joe points out that there are already kids running around. He's right.

Off to the ELP reception. Fancy stuff at the west tower. Congrats to the new class from someone from the first class. There's a good crowd there, and I meet some new ELPers as well as some editors I hadn't yet met.
On to a bus to Sea World for the opening reception. I see more familiar faces and get caught up. Every year I meet more people, and every year there are more new people to meet.

We got lost in Sea World going from place to place. I'm getting tired with all the walking (and talking) to be honest. Finally get on the bus home, I six near two reporters I don't know. Now I do.

The first night at the bar is always fun. Folks aren't convention-worn and there's a lot of talking and hugging and laughing and just catching up. I make a quick round through the bar. It's early, I've got a long day tomorrow and need to pace myself. That's the trick at these conventions, be around, be seen, have fun, but also know there's more to come tomorrow.

- posted by ron @ 12:41 AM