mentor lunch?

[brentmagstadt]

Great thoughts and total agreement on what Casey/Others have mentioned. Open mind is the most important thing, I think. This will be my third rally and I shared those exact same 'competitive' fears at my first rally. They never surfaced, thanks to one hell of an amazing group of taxi members - blew my mind, they did. For me, I think the most amazing thing about taxi is that everyone is on the same page, whether you are or not (if you get my meaning). It's incredibly supportive. I'm somewhat of an introvert around crowds and new people, so my approach has been to chill, smile, learn. And wow, to my benefit.

As for the rally being the best... well... it is, in it's size class. But I still hold forth (for myself) that the Kauai Music Festival tops the list for casual, beneficial, interesting industry conferences and networking opps.
Of course, I am locationally biased.

I don't feel guilty saying that, cuz Michael is there every year too....


All that said, I can't wait for the Rally this year, more than any of my previous years. Seeing the people I've met and networked with, sharing more thoughts on the industry, writing techniques, approaches, technology, latest micro-brews with like-minded crazies, watching some spectacular open mic performances, attending the panels and break outs and just feeling the luv... oh yes....
w.o.o.t.

[HectorRContreras]

Dear Brent,

Great Comment. I hope that Michael Laskow is going to read all the good Comments here soon as they will sheer him up immensely. Although he knows all this of course, but he loves to hear it again and again and again !

Michael was not feeling too well today, probably due to fatigue and excitement and perhaps a little bit of anxiety, and overwork, so much so he and his Team wants the Road Rally 2013 to be super super great, as it is ... every year !

We wish ((( Michael ))) a prompt recovery. And we thank him again for everything.

[ochaim]

Thanks to everybody sharing their experience with the rally!

This will be my first and from everything I've heard before this thread, it certainly did seem great things happen at the rally, some have called it life changing. Being left to my imagination, the idea of being "discovered" there did cross my mind. So I'm glad to learn what kind of mindset I should have to get the most out of the event.

[coachdebra]

Funny - I've been going for 8 years, as a speaker. And I've rarely spent time in the ballroom, except when I was up on stage.

I think the real juice is in the Driver's ED classes. And make sure you come all the way down the long hallway to the "Bookseller's Room" where you'll find the Driver's ED teachers happy to talk to you personally! And of course, you can get some good juice at the bar, too

If you see me there - I take my scotch, I mean Juice, on ice with a twist of lemon, single malt, please.

[Russell Landwehr]

Ok, here's my 2 cents worth.

Echoing... I mean EXPANDING on what the others have said...

Last year was my first Rally. It was a totally exhausting and energizing weekend. I got to meet several forum members, (Matto, DaveWalton, kclements, Casey, Mazz, Mikeymike2000, CoachDebra, Wen, etc... ) that was cool! The mentor lunches (I went to both) were good in that it was a very intense time to try to soak up as much info in between bites as possible. And nearly all the mentors collected CD's. However, the number one reason to attend the Rally is to LEARN and CONNECT. Leaving the Rally with knowledge and more friends is MUCH more important than getting your CD played in the Ballroom or handing it to an industry Pro.

I've heard it said that these industry pros would rather connect with people on a personal level at things like this than be bombarded by CD waiving maniacs looking at them like they are T-Bone steaks in a meat market. My sympathies go out to them.

And that's the crux of the matter. There is an important special-ness to connecting with people on a personal level. That is the "something" that is missing from so much of what goes on in the CD waiving mosh-pit in the Ballroom.

Certainly be prepared to hand over a CD or business card, but... Make connecting with people on a personal level your number ONE priority.

And learn something while you are there.

Russell