by Padraic Gilligan, Managing Partner, SoolNua I felt sorry for our hosts. Two years working on an event to bring some of the most powerful Professional Conference Organisers in the world to your city and there’s a deluge that wouldn’t look out of place in the recent Hollywood blockbuster, Noah. What’s generally an idyllic alpine… Read more »
by Padraic Giligan, Vice President Industry Relations, MCI Astoria 100 – A Grand and Lavish Affair I have a lot to say about St Petersburg but I’ll start with the party because, after all, that’s the reason I went there. The Hotel Astoria is celebrating 100 years of hospitality in 2012 /2103. I anticipated something… Read more »
by Padraic Gilligan, Vice President, Ovation Global DMC Montreal = Arcade Fire The blizzard abated, the snow stopped falling and clear blue skies returned to Montreal. Thus I was coaxed out of the warm cosiness of the Sheraton into the streets of the city hoping to experience something of its personality, its uniqueness, its soul…. Read more »
by Padraic Gilligan, Vice President, Ovation Global DMC It’s not what I say about my brand, it’s what you say about it. The first session at most industry events features a word of welcome from the destination’s official authorities – someone from the Ministry of Tourism, the Chair of the CVB, the Mayor etc. It’s… Read more »
by Padraic Gilligan, Vice President of Ovation Global DMC How to be a Canadian First, the sadness. Inside the front cover of the book, a handwritten inscription: “To our favourite non-Canadian, with love Moira”. My copy of How to be a Canadian by Will Ferguson and Ian Ferguson was given to me by the late,… Read more »
by Padraic Gilligan, Vice President, Ovation Global DMC Sitting in the Dock in LA The nightmare started as soon as my head hit the pillow. Courtroom scene. I’m in the dock. Somewhere hidden amidst the stern faced scowl of the judge is a face I recognise. Is it Todd Zint? The prosecuting attorney is also… Read more »
by Padraic Gilligan, Vice President, Ovation Global DMC “LAs fine and the sun shines most of the time …” The approach by air into Los Angeles takes you over miles and miles of urban sprawl leaving you wondering whether there’s a heart in this city at all. And when you process in your mind decades… Read more »
by Padraic Gilligan, Vice President, Industry Relations MCI and Vice President, Ovation Global DMC On Saturday I leave for Los Angeles where I’ll be attending – and blogging from – the annual conference of FICP, the Financial and Insurance Corporate Planners Association. This will be my 7th FICP conference and I am looking forward to… Read more »
by Padraic Gilligan, Vice President, Industry Relations, MCI and Vice President Ovation Global DMC In the euphoric after-glow of IMEX America Lindsay Fultz’s provocative piece on why she doesn’t attend, exhibit or sponsor trade shows and events provides a nice counter-point [access here]. Now Marketing Manager for LoveIt, an LA based technology start up (looks… Read more »
by Padraic Gilligan, VP Industry Relations, MCI I recently attended the Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band “Wrecking Ball” tour and was left with 2 over-riding impressions. Firstly, music is a powerful, indispensable source of healing, salvation and redemption (themes, incidentally, that recur like middle eights in Bruce’s oeuvre). Secondly, as MCI’s CEO, Sebastien… Read more »