My World Series of Golf Experience

The World Series of Golf (WSOG) is a high stakes game that combines gambling techniques of poker and the sport of golf. The greatest part of the WSOG is that it is literally any golfers game to win.
My WSOG experience began a year ago when I caught some coverage of the 2008 second round on tv. I called my buddy Keith and said "you can do this". Keith and I have been golfing together for about 16 years and I felt his game is solid enough to do some damage at this competition. We also run an annual golf tournament together, Madison's Wish Charity Golf Tournament (www.madisonswish.com), and we thought it would be a great opportunity to gain more exposure for our cause. Keith sent in his application and the next thing we knew, he was 1 of 125 golfers selected to play and I was to be his caddy/financial advisor.
We got busy on a game plan as to how we were going to win this thing. Keith flew out for a few practice rounds and played the course well and beat the competitors he was paired up with.
Then came tournament time. We gathered up the peanut gallery, decked out in Madison's Wish shirts and hats, and flew out to Las Vegas. It was definitely more than just a golf outing. From the arrival at the Mirage seeing the big WSOG window display in the lobby to the check in at the hospitality room, it was all around first class. The course, Paiute, was in immaculate condition and the staff made everything perfect.
Before anything kicked off there was a player/caddy meeting to go over the rules and regs ran by the President & Founder of the WSOG, Terry Leiweke. Terry really made it great for everyone from the high roller to the average Joe.
Following the meeting was the Opening Reception White Party. This was by far one of the coolest parties because the venue was the Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. While there was music playing, drinks flowing and great food we were watching a dolphin show. I was sipping my Capt & Coke while looking into the eyes of a White Tiger. All the competitors are cool people and even though they would be slugging it out for the $300k the very next day they all get along great.
On the opening day we were lucky enough to get the 11:15am tee time. This would give us plenty of time to get warmed up after a decent nights sleep (kind of). Keith was dead on accurate with his chipping. His putting was looking solid and his swing was smooth and consistent. WE WERE READY!!!!!So we thought.


As we approached the tee box for our group's time the tension built up. There were cameras and people all around. The pres kept yelling "This is for HD baby" which did not help the nerves. Keith wanted to do a dedication trick shot off the first tee to try to get the nerves out. That didn't go so well, but it was better than shanking a legitimate drive. There was no possible way to prepare for this format of play unless you have played it before. There would be times that you won't swing a club for 20 minutes.
It was definitely a long and tough day. Keith did, however, win 2 holes and split another one. This kept him in until the 16th hole. Looking across the field of players and their scores, lasting until the 16th hole was not too shabby. When he stuck the green on the par 3, this took a huge amount of pressure off and he drained a 35 foot putt. It really is amazing what a crowd of people and TV cameras can do to your mind (and your golf game). All in all, I was very proud of my friend for accepting this challenge and honored to be his caddy and part of this awesome event.
To read more about the results of the tournament go to http://www.worldseriesofgolf.com/default.aspx.
I feel that the experience of doing it once has prepared Keith and he will really make a bang at next year's tournament.

Golf Season

In addition to my life of trade shows I also have a love of playing golf. Not that I am any good, but I will try to squeeze in a round whenever possible. I don't quite know what it is about the game because to be quite honest it will frustrate the heck out of me to the point of wanting to give it up. Then there is that one great shot that keeps me coming back for more.
Since I know the game pretty well and I have played in many tournaments/ scrambles I decided to translate this experience into a fundraiser. My neice, Madison, was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). My sister's family now has an unbelievable amount of medical expenses in order to keep Madison's quality of life good. After great success last year, we are now having our 2nd Annual Madison's Wish Charity Golf Tournamet on May 16. Please go to www.madisonswish.com to learn more about Madison and SMA. You can also download info for the golf tournament as well.
My best friend Keith is the co-director of the golf tournament. Since we decided that planning and executing a charity golf tournament wasn't difficult enough, Keith has been selected to play in the World Series of Golf http://www.worldseriesofgolf.com. This is a nationally televised event that will be played the week of Madison's Wish Golf Tournament. Who else should be his caddy except his partner in crime (me). We must be out of our minds! I guess this will be a true test of our resilience.
In any case, please check out the World Series of Golf and support/ root for Keith and I when we are in Las Vegas. We will be using this opportunity to promote Madison's Wish and awareness of SMA. If you are in the South Florida area, we would love to see you at our golf tournament!

Managing vs. Babysitting

I am the father of 3 year old twin boys & I am the General Manager of about 50 people. Sometimes I feel as though I am saying the same things to both.
Here are some examples:
Children vs. Employees
Stop whining / Stop whining
Finish your chores / Finish the project
Leave your brother alone / Stop harassing "Bob"
Change your clothes / Dress appropriately

Then there are the motivational words for children and employees.
Children vs. Employees
Good job, buddy / Good job, Bob
I'm so proud of you / You made the company proud
What a beautiful picture / That report was great

Apparently giving "positive reinforcement" to your kids is the same as "employee motivation". Obviously the pay-off is that you will have well adjusted kids and happier employees, but the irony is that both sides get offended if they are compared. The wife says the family is not employees and boy do the employees get upset when you tell them they are acting like a bunch of children.

It is funny how my wife has to remind me that I am not the GM at home, but it sure seems like I have to be a dad at work. I guess through time (maybe therapy) I will be able to separate the two.

I am sure you are bombarded with email marketing on education and employee motivation so I am not going to give you references, but they do work! It also helps to remind you not just how to do it, but to actually go out and give your employees the little motivational compliments they crave.
As for your children, there are numerous articles on positive reinforcement for your kids in Parenting Magazine.

Here is a fun little experiment for all you managers out there (or those of you who disagree with my comparison). Get a copy of a current Parenting magazine and read the tips on positive reinforcement or motivation. Then come in to work and apply the methods toward your employees and I would bet that they respond the same way (in a good way) the article said your kids should.

Good luck!

Trade Show Diet

For those of you who have lived like a "roadie" the way us people in the events industry do, you can understand where I am coming from. Why does it seem that I am always saying "as soon as I get home its back to eating healthy". Will that day ever come? Let's dive into a typical day of eating while producing a trade show at a convention center.

6:30 am - breakfast @ hotel coffee shop - large coffee, danish or bagel & cream cheese
Mid morning Diet Pepsi
Noon - Fast food near by OR overpriced turkey sandwich from the stands that are set up for move in. And of course the Diet Pepsi.
4:00 pm - feeling ravenous so I grab a candy bar to hold me over until dinner and can't forget to wash it down with Diet Pepsi.
7:30 pm - dinner @ restaurant in hotel lobby - probably over eat since this is your first decent meal of the day and wash it down with a few beers or perhaps a Captain Morgan and you guessed it Diet Pepsi.

We constantly abuse our bodies outside and inside (looking at what I ingested above) and no one will will ever commend you for that. Which is OK, because you love your job.
I guess we take the bad with the good, and looking at the trade show diet, that is definitely bad.

Now what to do. For those of you who just read this and got a chuckle because you live it, great! If any of you would like some tips on how to eat healthier here are a few links. Good luck!

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,509574,00.html

http://www.completetraveldiet.com/

As for me, "as soon as I get home its back to eating healthy".

About Me

I have been in this crazy business of Trade Shows & Conventions for a it seems lifetime already. You see, I am a 2nd generation trade show contractor. This means from the time I was a toddler I was walking the show floor and traveling the country.

Born and raised in South Florida, I then ventured out to see the world. I joined the United States Marine Corps at 18. I was a jet engine mechanic on the FA-18 Hornet. This was a very exciting time for me because I was able to take a boat trip (USS Enterprise) to the Mediterranean Sea and visits lots of countries in Europe and Asia.

After my 4 years, my heart brought me back home to follow in my father's footsteps. Once I got out on the show floor producing trade shows I was hooked. I love to learn a little about everything, so where better to do it then being a part of any and every industry there is.

Why do I love it? Good question. I love the stress of coordinating so many things and having it all come together rapidly in front of your face. I love when I am challenged to fix a problem when everyone thinks all hope is lost.

I am currently the General Manager of EXPO Convention Contractors, Inc. We are a family-owned and operated company small enough to be personable yet large enough to be exceptional. With over 50 employees in-house at all times, including a highly experienced management and sales team, we are available to service shows throughout the nation. We pride ourselves on exceptional service and our "can do" attitude.

Please come see what we can do by stopping by http://www.expocci.com/

My goal with my blog is to entertain you through the eyes of someone who loves what they do. Even if it is as chaotic as the convention & trade show industry.