Back to California… to the Southern part…New Port Beach

I know we were just in California a couple of weeks ago, but that was the northern part… now we are visiting the southern part for another conference.   We flew into LAX and Penney’s friend (well mine too I guess) Barbara Oliver, picked us up for a fun afternoon.  We headed to the Santa Monica Pier, walking along the pier and having lunch at Bubba Gumps.  

Then we headed to an event being held by the the Jamaica Tourism Board.  It was held at a local theater, with a nice welcome reception and then the show.   

After we drove down to the New Port Beach Marriott, where Penney has been asked to facilitate a workshop at the MAST conference as a representative of the Travel Institute. She will be sharing information on Technology to Stay Ahead of Your Clients.  Of course, I will tag along to make sure she doesn’t get into any trouble and that she comes back to Tennessee where she belongs

Saturday, April 27, 2013   As we sit here at the LAX airport waiting for our flight back to Nashville I thought I would quickly let you know that the conference yesterday was awesome.  The breakouts that we were able to attend were very informative and the agents that attended this conference are great!   Everyone is so enthusiastic about the industry, passionate about selling and learning, and we truly enjoy networking with them.   I hope Penney gets good reviews so we can attend again next year.

Heading to Californee…...

No we haven’t hit oil, that bubblin crud but we are loading up and heading to Californee for a few days…   Penney has been asked to speak at another conference, this is the City2Sea Annual Conference held by the Sacramento Chapter of NACTA.   Lucille Carter and Marilyn Johnson are the Co-Directors and together with their board and leadership team put on a great conference each year for Travel Agents.  It includes several break out sessions covering various topics by suppliers and a trade show.  It is always well attended and we had a great time last year.  Really looking forward to it again.

Of course we are flying in a few days early so we can visit with our good friends, Carol and Glenn Hall who moved out there a couple of years ago.   And we will stay a couple day after to enjoy the company of Lucille and Marilyn, there is always so much to catch up on!

Thursday, April 4, 2013    Last night Carol and Glenn took us to dinner and we stopped at one of Penney’s favorite stores…

and then we sat up and talked forever…  today has been just talking, laughing and getting caught up on everything about everyone.  Also we got to spend time with their grandson, AAron who is just a doll.  Tomorrow we may do some shopping and then prepare for the show on Saturday.

Sunday, April 7, 2013  - The show on Saturday went really well.  It was help at the Sierra II Community Center, an old educational facility so there were nice break out rooms for the classroom style sessions and a nice area for the tradeshow.   A nice problem to have was they had more vendors than room, so they had to use two separate areas but it worked out just fine.   A yummy lunch was served, Penney gave her presentation and then up was Scott Koepf.   Penney was so glad that she did not have to follow him…  as this is how he started.

After the show several of us went to the Tower for a nice dinner to unwind and recap the days success.  Then Penney and I went home with Lucille and collapsed… well kind of, we actually sat up and talked for several more hours.   Then today, after church, we had a ‘tech day’ Lucille asked Penney to help her with several software issues and questions which if you know her, is right up her ally!   It is after 9pm and we are just calling it quits at the computer and finally going to find some food…  see ya!

Wednesday, April 9, 2013 – Last night we met up with Jim & Marilyn Johnson and the Hall’s for dinner, always so much fun to get together with these folks, talking and laughing.  

We are all packed and ready to head to the airport today…   We have had a very nice visit but ready to get home to see the family.