Dear Friends and Dear Friends to Be!

Two days at conference and I find myself with thoughts of the remarkable people whose paths I crosssed.

Elisa Camahort, Jory DesJardins, and Lisa Stone hosted a seamless and elegant conference in Chicago. It was first class all of the way. The Second Life strand was a special place for folks who couldn’t attend. Lots of folks who made their first trip to Chicago felt like they were well taken care of.

I got some quality time with dear friends. business blogger and hero to moms and dads, Wendy Piersall, travel blogger and the most joyful reality barometer, Sheila Scarborough, girl geek with a heart as big a Georgia, Robyn Tippins, and singer, blogger, inspiration, Christine Kane. Yeah, we got to hear Christine play again! (She has a new CD!) At the pre-conference speaker’s reception, I got a chance to spend time with Andy Sernovitz as well. I had a hug from all five before the conference had even begun. Not a bad start to any event.

Also at the speaker’s reception, I met new friend Mary Jo Manzanares of Fly Away Cafe. She’s a leadership speaker and a charming, thoughtful woman with a magnetic smile. As Mary Jo and I talked, Denise Wakeman joined the group a few minutes later. I bet you know her from the Blog Squad. Her sense of humor and delight in tackling problems makes her a fun part of a business conversation.

Early in the conference, Wendy introduced me to Plain Jane Mom, Erika. We sat together through a few business sessions. She must be a great mom. Her sense of humor is easy. Her intelligence is quick . . . and she put up with me.

Wendy and I spoke on a “Mentoring and Coaching” panel with Collette Ellis and Elizabeth Perry. Elisa chose well in putting us all on the same team. We made a connection that I’ll value, and I hope to find myself with that group again soon.

I also met up with Cynthia Samuels of Don’t Gel Too Soon. This network TV news veteran is a blogger, a producer, a consultant, a writer, a mom and a wife. After her session, she answered a question about talking to the media that I haven’t yet grown into.

Later, I met Kate Feltman from Wiley. She sat with Robyn and I by the lake as we talked through a SOBCon08 dream. She’s a quick study, who loves the power of ideas. She’s also fun to brainstorm with.

A great conversation happened in the hall with Leah Jones from Edelman. We met through that fiery guy of SOBCon, Ari Garber. Leah and I talked writing and publishing. Her insightful, warm way and easy smile would be a welcome break anytime.

And let me say, that the powerhouse of a genuine person Christina Jones, is everything she’s cracked up to be. Yep, a hero through and through.

Those are just a few of the people I met while I was missing all of you.

–ME ‘Liz” Strauss