Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Jammin' at Hippie Jack's

There are three things I always enjoy about attending conferences...meeting colleagues I rarely see and those I've never met; learning tons about things relevant to my work and the wonderful hospitality of the conference and the stations who host receptions, hospitality suites and exhibits.

For example, I got to see Joan Lence and Kathie Stull who represent nearly a dozen how-to shows that air on public television (including "Cloth, Paper, Scissors" publisher Pokey Bolton's "Quilting Arts"). I've known Joan for years; Kathie is from the Cleveland area, where their programs are taped. To do list: Call Kathie when I head to visit family and see if they are taping or we can have a tour! (Coming this fall -- remember Matt and Shari from HGTV? They have a new show coming to PBS stations through NETA beginning in October!)

Kathleen Unwin (left) and Dru Sefton (right) are from Current, one of our industry papers. Dru had brownies by her table -- to die for!

I was told I won a painting by this fellow -- Roger Bansemer, who with his wife Sarah will have a new travel/painting show. However, I wasn't "present to win." Alas... (but I had a good reason -- that's another post!)

It's being with colleagues -- Tim Zeko produces our series BackStage Pass, which is now in national distribution by NETA. If it is in your area or you come across it in your TV Guide, let me know -- we're trying to make a station list. Next to Tim is Susi Elkins, our content and engagement manager. Susi was one of the many who had flight/connection problems due to the storm that slammed the east. We were glad to finally see her!

And then there are the parties. WCTE, a station in Cookville, TN invited us to taping of their music series, "Jammin' at Hippie Jacks." (That's Becky Magura, Cookville's GM, with Hippie Jack as they welcomed us to the Tennessee State Museum.)

I'll show you some photos from this little gem of wonder in a different post. Here's a preview from their quilt collection.

Then the show began. Hippie Jack welcomed us from the stage at the museum.

He was followed by a performance from Todd Snider. He was fun, funny, insightful. It was a good show.

It was a very relaxed taping experience with folks enjoying food and beverages during the recording, able to get up and move if needed. Made for one of the more enjoyable concert experiences I've ever had.

Back to bed to look forward to the final conference day -- and meeting a friend I've known a long while!

12 comments:

Marilyn Miller said...

This is what traveling to business conferences all about. Meeting and greeting and some entertainment tossed in for making a very fun event. Thanks for sharing. I reminds me of all the times I traveled to Las Vegas to the World Tea Expo.

Barb said...

That looks like way too much fun for a conference! Connecting with friends old and new also makes it memorable.

anno said...

looks a lot livelier than most business conferences I've heard about -- maybe a result of the business you're in? Glad you made the most of it!

Anya said...

I could see and read that you had a fantastic time there,
you are looking beautiful tooo :)))))

Joanne Huffman said...

How nice that you had such a good time. And, that you didn't have travel problems from the weather. I do remember Mat & Sherry and look forward to seeing them again on TV.

~*~Patty S said...

great fun
you get to do some really cool things Jeanie
thanks for sharing with us
oxo

Janet said...

What a fun trip. Too bad about the painting but I'm sure you'll win another time and be present. It seems as if there's a lot going on and you can't be in two places at once.

Kim Geiger said...

I never get to go anywhere....

shoreacres said...

Posts like this always make me happy for you, grumpy for me. I guess I shouldn't grump, though. I did get to go to the movie on Sunday!!!

It does look wonderful. There are being doing "business travel" all the time who just dread it - glad you can go and have fun!

Jeanie said...

Making those connections with old and new friends is indeed a joy of this kind of conference. It sounds like you loaded piles of fun on top of all you learned.

Oh said...

Lucky you - a conference! I love 'em too. It's so good to be out and about and with people in the "same thing" you're in. Love the pictures - feel like I'm there.
You're probably full-tilt busy, too. I now have to go back and catch up on a few of your blog entries.

Hope you rec'd my "thank you" email for the gorgeous gifties you sent me. Love them. More on that later.

Get out there and get us some more stories, traveler!

Ragamuffin Gal said...

Looks like a fun and fabulous time!!!

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