The panel of IAVM veteran storytellers pose with 30|UNDER|30 members who introduced the panelists.
Being kind-of, sort-of retired for almost a year now after serving for 22 glorious years as editor of Venue Professional magazine has been quite a fun adventure. Plenty of that fun has come from continuing to contribute as a freelance writer to the magazine. An even bigger thrill is being at VC24 in Portland to not just reacquaint with member friends, but to help provide some coverage of the Association’s 100th year, as well as do some voice over – and especially to be on the Monday morning 8 am panel with industry luminaries past and present to share some fun stories through the 100 years of IAVM. OK, none of us are actually 100, but the spry Barbara “Mother” Hubbard is 97 and rocking and rolling like nobody’s business, still booking and mentoring students at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces.
Once the nyuk nyuks died down and the session ended, I had some time to reflect. Specifically, on badges worn by my colleagues on the dais. Most indicated the venue or business where the individual works. Larry Perkins, though, had the word RETIRED on his badge. It was natural to ask Larry how the lazy world of retirement was going, only to have Larry remark that he is now serving on eight boards. Retirement? What is that?
I can happily relate. As mentioned, I continue to be fortunate to write for the magazine. There are a couple of other things I continue doing that I have for years, including announcing high school football games and leading a Grief Share class at our church. Retirement? What is that?
As I walk around the beautiful Oregon Convention Center and bump into friends of decades past, many of them also wear RETIRED on their badges. More of the conversations with my fellow elders tend to center on health issues and what a joy the grandchildren are.
While these conversations take place, I look around and see much distinctly younger folks chatting amongst themselves. I often think about how cool it would be if one of us geezers just walked up to one of the youngsters and started up a conversation about the job and life. How beneficial it would be for us both!
There is a saying that “Likes like Likes,” which I translate to mean that we are most often comfortable with those like us. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but again the opportunities we miss by not getting to know other generations better, and even for them to know us and our infinite wisdom (ha!) better.
I worry not for the future of the industry, though. The 30|UNDER|30 program and the talent pipeline coming up in the industry tells me this profession is in more than capable hands for decades to come. IAVM is poised and positioned for great things as the next 100 years settle in.
Speaking of settling in, time to get down to the trade show floor. I have more work to do.
