Flew last night to Vancouver, through O'Hare. Picked up by driver and taken to Pan Pacific Vancouver, a high-end hotel downtown on the shore that's designed to resemble a cruise ship and actually serves as a load/offload center for them, along with a huge convention center. I have nice room on 18th, where I shoot the posted pic.
Up early, I exercise and then gear up. First is a 6-min on-camera taped interview with BNN (Business News Network), Canada's CNBC. I am interviewed by a Calgary-based correspondent here for the huge CFA (Chartered Financial Analysts) international conference.
Then I go to green room set up behind giant wall of black fabric that serves as stagefront in this cavernous convention hall. After previous session ends, I have 30 min to work AV with crew. I go 50 as planned, working off stage in front of big screen, augmented by 2 huge ones on side, where my presentation, plus a live feed of me is presented (always nice to check out the emerging bald spot). Then 10 mins of questions from moderator. These are pre-culled from audience. Guy later told me he toned them down because most were highly hostile to the U.S./Bush administration. Felt like I had won audience over anyway.
Then grab Mac and my two bags and race to lobby, jumping into limo. Change out during ride and then bit the airport.
Here's the amazing part: when filling out my customs form, I leave my Treo at the stand. I discover my loss about 20 mins later, freaking out just a bit. After searching my bags and person, and retracing my steps, I ask United rep where lost phone would be returned (luckily, my flight left a tad late) and sure enough, somebody turned in my expensive phone to the info booth!
So I made my O'Hare flight intact.
Now only question is if I make my connection in Chicago or get stuck overnight.
CFA conference was huge. Audience at least 3,000--probably closer to 4k. Jeffrey Sachs and Steven Levitt ("Freakonomics" guy) also featured. Been a while for me to speak to such a huge group. Laughs take a while to gather steam in such a huge room, so you have to watch your timing.
Comments (7)
It is amazing city,people have so much torrence and paitant.the sence of friendlyness and respect for one another is pluadable.the
crime is very low,i think about 20 homocides a year,something you
find only in very small communities elsewhere.
Posted by farhad | May 14, 2008 8:27 AM
Here's the amazing part ... "Guy later told me he toned them down (i.e. questions from audience) because most were highly hostile to the U.S./Bush administration. Felt like I had won audience over anyway."
Tom, your powers of persuasion are so astonishing because you have done such a thorough and common sense job of connecting the dots, when explaining how to win the peace.
Now, I would feel whole if I could only justify the term "conservative democrat" as a "libertarian Republican". We desperately need a viable third party. Only 5% of the popular vote for Libertarian Bob Barr gets matching federal funding for the party in the next election cycle. Too bad he also seems ready to abandon Operation Iraqi Freedom. The flip side of that coin is that no President will put the crown of military defeat in Iraq upon his own head.
Posted by VoteWithTroops | May 14, 2008 8:30 PM
one reason Tom can get a hearing from pacifists and people outside of the US is because he critiques us.
this is a basic strategy in evangelism: want to get a nonChristian to hear what you have to say? critique the church and the way the faith is practiced (cf Jesus).
Posted by Sean Meade![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.thomaspmbarnett.com/weblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 14, 2008 9:52 PM
Tom, I was in that CFA audience and I'd agree you won many of us over. Had no idea who you were beforehand, thought you came off as an arrogant know-it-all in the first five minutes but became increasingly intrigued as you rolled on. I plan to read more on this blog and check out your books. I tried to ask a question of Jeffrey Sachs about his views on Development-In-A-Box - the moderator didn't let the question see the light of day!
Posted by Steve | May 14, 2008 10:04 PM
Mr. Barnett --
I was in the audiance in Vancouver. I'd say your presentation was the best of the entire conference. That is a fairly bold statement since Jeffrey Sachs, Steven Levitt, and Nassim Nicholas Taleb were also there. Too bad you didnt stick around to see these presentations.
Posted by 77grampa77![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.thomaspmbarnett.com/weblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 14, 2008 11:11 PM
hi dr. barnett,
i had the pleasure of seeing your presentation in vancouver. among the uninitiated to your beliefs and showmanship, it was an informative and entertaining hour. the buzz around the lunch table seemed positive as well. while there was not much direct application to what most of us do for a living, it is good that these conferences throw in a few other topics of interest.
wasn't sure if your normal presentation style is so frantic or if you really had to make sure you caught your flight. regardless, your mix of humor helped deliver the message (can only remember one joke that fell flat - i think it just came out so fast, no one had time to react), and enough interest was stimulated that i suspect you will see your book sales on amazon climb a few notches in the coming week. i'll do my part. thanks for giving us an hour. maybe next time, catch a later flight and join us for lunch.
Posted by James Klein, CFA | May 14, 2008 11:25 PM
Your Vancouver speech was brilliant and brilliantly delivered.
Posted by Val | May 15, 2008 1:08 PM