CD That's Me

A couple of weeks ago someone read one of my blog posts and asked, "Did AI write that?" I see this topic a lot lately and its frustrating. We are told to be more effective and utilize better time management skills - so in other words use AI. And then we are criticiczed for using it too much and are called out for using it even if we have not.

AI is becoming a very hot topic. The dangers, the indicators, the "cheating". Mention you used it and someone immediately says, "I can always tell." But can they though? How can you tell - that extra long hypen or those overused SAT words. So when I was asked, I'll admit it. . . I laughed a little. And the answer is yes and absolutely not.

Maybe sometime...

I am going to make my famous ice box cake again for your special day. And then I am going to sit back and watch the craziness that is about to take over the Back Bay. I am very lucky to have one of the best seats in the house for the 4th of July weekend festivities. I live on the Charles River in Boston, where preparations are underway for one of the biggest celebrations our nation has ever produced: America's 250th birthday.

For event producers, it's hard not to see this milestone through the lens of our profession. While most people see fireworks, tall ships, concerts, ceremonies, crowds and partying, we see timelines, permitting, contingency plans, endless meetings, production schedules, ...

Want to know what scares me? Not AI, but people blindly trusting it. Because AI is a little like that overly confident vendor who promises everything is "absolutely handled." Sometimes it is. Sometimes it isn't. And you don't find out until much later.

Which means experience still matters. ...

It seems like everyone is talking about AI. And when this talk started, I'll admit it, my first thought wasn't "Wow, this is exciting." It was more along the lines of: "Well, now robots have finally come for the event industry."

As someone who's spent years producing events, managing timelines, navigating last-minute changes, calming stressed clients, and somehow locating a missing podium five minutes before doors open, I was skeptical.

Because if you've ever worked in events, you know one thing: Nothing ever goes exactly according to plan. And honestly - that's half the job.

The other half is pretending everything is under control while internally freaking out and calculating seven backup pla...

Event Mode is a state of mind.

It is when you are a couple of days, a week or even a month out from an event and all you can do is focus on getting through and making it a success.

It is when you double and triple check the flight itineraries, the ground transportation, the menus, the scheduled activities, the vendor installation schedules, the hotel resumes, the Banquet Event Orders (BEO) and the staffing plans.

It is when you do your job and everyone else's because you become a control freak, or in my case, more of a control freak.

It is when you neglect your own well being and then wake up, look in the mirror and the realize you need to make a few beauty appointments and fast.

It is when you w...

Last night's Grammy Awards inspired this post, although I really did not watch the whole show. I tend to focus on what everyone is wearing to these shindigs and on any live performances rather than the actual awards. Plus in this case, I knew this year would be all about the two queens.

As we know, you can rewatch just about every minute and relive just about every detail the next day on social media. . . whether they are good or bad minutes and details. Last night there were quite a few faux pas - Adele's restart, Metallica's frontman not having a microphone, Laverne Cox not even introducing Metallica and more. In an event producers world, the missteps are what we lose sleep over and that c...

Earlier this week, I was working at a client's office and we were talking about the nearing blizzard and how great it would be to have a snow day and to work from home. I was fully engaged in the conversation and adding that I was excited to work in the comfort of my favorite Monrow camo sweats. The conversation continued for a bit before I realized I could basically do that every day if i really wanted. I work from home.

I gave up my cushy office and address in Copley Square a few years back when I confirmed I spent more time on the road then I did in my office. One year in fact I spent 91 nights in NYC alone.

To this day, my job takes me on the road on average about twice a month. My meeting...