Good Stuff from Joan Eisenstodt

Periodic musings of one of the Meetings Industry\'s recognized educators.

Stay up to date and in the know on the industry's top issues and events. Joan has over 30 years experience in every facet of event planning and is regularly recognized as one of the most influential people in the industry. Take advantage of her passion for our industry and life-long learning. Bookmark this page today.

Tag >> Relationships

Making the most of a bad situation

Posted by: JoanEisenstodt in Travel, Schmoozing, Relationships, Networking, Negotiate, Navy, Airlines on Nov 08, 2008

2:30 a.m. EST and I'm up and getting ready for a 3:45 a.m. p/u to DCA for my flights today, the first of which is at 6 a.m.

It's an international flight; the airline says arrive 2 hours ahead so I do...

...to find the counter not staffed.

We called the airline and they said that the counter opened at 4:45.  I suggested they might change that since a competing airline was already open and checking

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Did you ever wonder...

Posted by: JoanEisenstodt in WorkLife, Relationships, New York Times, Negotiate, Meeting Planning, Hotel, Empathy, Diversity and Inclusion, Disabilities, Dan Pink, Contracts, Abilities on Aug 17, 2008

... what it feels like to walk in someone else's shoes? Or ride in their chair or on their scooter? Or manage a day when pain overtakes you?

Recently, at an industry meeting (in a very large hotel) at which I moderated two sessions, I used a scooter to get around. (Sometimes my NHL makes me unable to walk long distances.)  It was a fascinating experience - watching people ignore me and pretend I

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An industry of relationships?

Posted by: JoanEisenstodt in Service, Relationships, MPIMeeting Professionals International, Meeting Planning, Hotel on Mar 21, 2008

In the past week, two very special people have died of cancer: Crystal Simmons, a student member of the MPI (Meeting Professionals Intl)  DFW Chapter, and Beth Calveard of the TN MPI chapter.  Both were young, vibrant women who brought so much to our industry.

I met Crystal,  a recipient of a scholarship to the MPI Future Leaders Forum - applications for the 2008 World Education Congress Future Leaders Forum are due 28 March - available to student members of  MPI ), where I met her when I chaired MPI's Student/Faculty Committee.   That same year, Crystal attended a session at the WEC on living and working with illness. At that session, Crystal disclosed that she was to undergo a mastectomy the following week.  And at that session, Beth Calveard, a  brain cancer survivor,  spoke about her life with cancer and as someone who, with a great zest for life and a sense of humor beyond what anyone I ever knew (esp. under the circumstances) had. 

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