Off to Tampa to Speak and Watch the Rays

I am flying to Tampa Florida this morning, four days in a city I’ve never seen, and a chance to schmooze and sit on a panel. I will be joining members of the Public Relations Society of America, at their annual travel conference. The group is made up of PR pros and representatives from destinations around the US and the world.

I always look forward to a trip to a new place. I’ve got time to hang out by the pool today, go to a big party where you schmooze with various reps who want to have their story told on GoNOMAD, and tomorrow the big conference and the panel discussion. After that I’ve set up some activities with the local tourism board so I”ll meet local people, tour a museum, go kayaking and take in a baseball game at the home of the Rays, the professional team in Tampa.

It was just a week ago that I was off and running for two full weeks. Taking me out of the office this long was a challenge, but I managed to pull it off. I”m glad though that this trip is only four days, so not as much of the packing and questions about having enough clothes this time. I think of destinations as gift that I unwrap, so I don’t spend a whole lot of time finding out all of the details of a place. I rely on what it feels like when I am there, and I usually pepper my local guides with questions to satisfy my curiosity. But there is always a main question I like to ask a cab driver or a waitress: What are people talking about here?
What is in the news, good or bad, that’s dominating the local mindset?

By the end of tomorrow, I might have this answer and when I get it, I’ll be sure to share it with you right here.