Vegas, Stories and Relationships.

Posted on November 23rd, 2011 by Robbin and currently 10 commenting.

Have to admit the newly open Cosmopolitan was very visually stimulating and the rooms were amazing.

I have a confession. I hate Las Vegas.

I have often called it “the armpit of America”.

I hate the lack of fresh air and all the concrete and the scale of things and the crazy over the top consumption.

I can’t stay too long in a place where you can’t touch the earth.

But this year, I decided to go to the WOMMA Summit in Vegas with an open heart. I was determined to see Vegas with a new set of eyes and an open mind.

After sharing this with my friend Scott, he sent me this article for inspiration on changing my lens.

And it worked. Just shifting my attitude and becoming an explorer, changed everything. My trip down the strip began with a sweet cab ride with a thoughtful guy named Vinnie who moved to Vegas after falling in love on blind date two years ago. (How do you get a blind date in Vegas when you live in Chicago?) Even though he couldn’t find a “real” job and ended up driving a cab, he was SO happy to be there with the love of his life. They were hoping to buy a home soon and get married in one those cheezy little chapels.

Hmmm. I love a good love story, don’t you?

Its just so cool how one little question, like “how’d you get here” can spark a story between complete strangers and create a connection.

Vegas is full of story and romance.

This year, I went to the WOMMA Summit in Vegas because I genuinely treasure the relationships we have with the folks in our industry. Loved seeing so many familiar faces, hearing their stories and then spending some time learning together.

Some of our crazy cool friends from WOMMA: Rod Brooks, John Moore, David Rabjohns, Su Fanning (Who is WOMMA”s new President) and our very own Geno Church!

This year’s keynotes were fascinating speakers and people.

If you ever get the chance to see Sally Hogshead, author of Fascinate speak. Take it. I hope we can find a way to bring her to our FIRE session next year.

Did you know that the average attention span of an adult today is nine seconds? That means you have nine seconds to create an emotional connection to someone. As a person or a brand, this is a stunning notion to embrace. Everything Sally said rang true for me. I’ll find the book again, finish it and review it for you in anther post. I enjoyed her talk that much.

Since we are about to enter into the Thanksgiving holiday I will share this one last thought from Simon Mainwaring — the day two, “8:30 am in Vegas” brave speaker:

“Address something more than your self interests and all of your interests will be served.”

It’s true. Happiness, in business or personally is not a ME thing. It not about money. Or fancy titles or even better widgets. It’s about meaningful relationships. Always has been. Relationships shape our lives and create positive change. And in this world where we can connect and share in so many ways, I hope you take this day before Thanksgiving to think about the all the amazing relationships in your life.

The super close ones, like family and close friends.
The online friendships that make you laugh out loud or feel connected, even when you are alone on a long cross country flight.
The business relationships that keep your businesses alive, growing and full of story.

The magic of life is truly in our relationships.

I got home after eleven days on the west coast, and found a very kind message of gratitude from a friend on my office voice mail. Kindness is underrated, don’t you think?. It reminded me to tell the people who inspire me daily how I feel.

So here goes.

If you’re reading today, we cherish the time you share with us. We’d love for you to comment and say hello. Just tell us your name or maybe tell us a story about how relationships matter to you.

Tell us how you got here.

We’re listening. And grateful beyond words for our relationship with you.

Yeah. Only in Vegas.

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