STILL CRAZY

Returning from the Exhibitor Show (ExhibitorLive 2015) in Las Vegas last week, I sat on my return flight to Chicago, eyes closed, headphones plugged in. Paul Simon’s “Still Crazy After All These Years” started to play.

I met my old lover
On the street last night
She seemed so glad to see me
I just smiled
And we talked about some old times
And we drank ourselves some beers
Still crazy after all these years

I smiled. Even though my primary intentions for attending the show were to experience new products and services, and to identify and discuss trends and best practices with colleagues, it really just did my head and heart good to spend some quality time with customers and industry friends. There is a certain camaraderie within the industry that revolves around being a bit crazy simply to be part of it. If you are in the industry, you get it.

Outside the show hours, there was a lot to do. Mornings were spent keeping up with emails and phone calls. After hours provided the opportunity to attend a celebration of a major milestone in the industry (Nomadic Display celebrated 40 years in business), enjoy a dinner with two of my favorite exhibit managers and spend time reconnecting with old friends. Then there was the Portable/Modular Summit and another dinner with  fellow business owners. There was an open exchange of ideas, philosophies and opinions and quite a few laughs.

It was a hectic pace but one I really enjoyed. I blew away all step goals on my FitBit, probably ate better than I normally would have, and slept well. There was an energy in everything I experienced. And I was reminded that to be in this industry, you have to be a bit crazy. You have to jump into the fray, get your hands dirty and love the organized chaos that is the exhibit/event industry. It was good to know that there were still lots of other crazy people as well.

At the Portable/Modular Summit, one of the presenters made an all-too-true statement. He said, “All of you here deliver quality products, have quality people working for you and provide quality designs. If you did not, you would not be in business.” He reminded us that we have to determine what makes us truly unique in a very competitive field.

When I returned to the office, Dan Michals, our newest account manager, reminded me what makes Prairie unique and stand out. “We are human beings,” he said. “We answer the phone, we talk to customers and prospects and we just want to extend our experience and expertise to make the customer successful.”

Thanks for reminding me Dan. Truly appreciated. At the end of the day, it’s about taking all of the craziness surrounding a hectic trade show schedule, making it all work and come together. Like pretty much everyone I met up with in Vegas, that craziness wears off on you.

Now I sit by my window
And I watch the cars
I fear I'll do some damage
One fine day
But I would not be convicted
By a jury of my peers
Still crazy after all these years

Well, it's been 21 years for Prairie and 33 for me. And the good Lord willing, crazy for many more years for all of us.


Steve Moskal