The Tiara Wearing ThinkTank Goer
(The below arrived in my e-mail yesterday and made me pull out the Kleenex. Thought I would share it.)
Hey DK 
How are you? Hopefully all is well and you have rested up from all the ThinkTank fun. I have to admit it took me close to a week to re-group after the fantastic show that you and your team put on. It truly was a fantastic few days. I owe you and your staff a hundred sincere thank you’s that is for sure. Please be sure to pass them on for me.
Okay now away from the expected thank you’s and onto the more personal stuff I have to admit when you first approached me via email & IM I was a bit nervous as to what to expect. Although I knew a few of the faces going to ThinkTank, I also knew that for one of the first times in my professional career I was really going in blind. I had heard great things of course, but as a girl who prides herself in being prepared (perhaps too often at times ha) I was definitely a bit nervous when I was driving down to Del Mar. I was wondering what sort of events to expect, and if the conversation’s would be hard to join, and of course wondering how (if) I could handle three days with a group of men that seem to already know each other on such a personal & professional level. In short for one of the few times I was actually worried that signing on with so many unknowns was a bad idea.
I can honestly say that I have never been more pleasantly proven wrong in my life.
From the first hello at the tent I felt welcomed (your sincere hug was part of that as well). The people you have involved with this event are truly amazing people and I felt lucky to be sharing ideas and conversations with them. I met so many people that enabled ideas of mine to come out, and I felt good that I was able to offer them ideas regarding PPC, social media, and more. Even better, I was happy to shake hands and tap cocktails with the people I have (unfortunately) passed by at so many conferences. Your event is perhaps the first time in years I have felt truly engaged in the space I love so much. I can’t thank you enough for that.
Without getting even more mushy on you, I also want to thank you for the number of times you “checked in” on how my weekend was going. I could tell you were genuinely working toward making me feel comfortable & it worked. Thank you for that.
Okay okay that’s enough girliness for me. In all seriousness you put on an amazing event, and I only hope one day I can repay you for your generosity and kindness. I feel a renewed excitement for the projects on my plate and have already started talking with new friends from Thinktank on certain ideas we discussed. You have put together something very special here DK, and I am proud to have been a participant in it.
Please don’t hesitate in the future if I can ever help you with anything… anything at all.
Take care & see you at PubCon 
Sincerely & many thanks,
Joanna aka “The Tiara Wearing ThinkTank Goer”
Joanna, the pleasure was all mine
I am sure you enjoyed the nerf darts too.
ReplyI second Joanna’s sentiment. You didn’t have to invite me, but I am obviously very glad you did. With the exception of Todd, who I met three years ago at SES San Jose, I didn’t know anybody else at Think Tank.
Your team and you and the awesome attendees made me feel at home and very free to discuss the ins and outs of our industry and other things which most people will likely not ever be privy.
I am trying to work out a schedule so I can get to Pubcon, at least to take part in the Poker Tournament.
Shaka Monaloa Macademia Nutz Bra
ReplyI second DK’s opinion that Joanna belonged at Think Tank. I second Joanna’s take when she said “Your event is perhaps the first time in years I have felt truly engaged in the space I love so much.” Another successful event!
Reply@john andrews:
ReplyI don’t know what to say really. I am so glad you guys and the other attendees got it. Last year, the first year, it looked to me like it took the event a day or two to find itself. Then at some point, everyone got what was going on. It was simply a group of fantastic, brilliant, people there to enlighten each other, and have fun.
As I sit here wearing my hard earned drinking bracelet, I look at the faces to the right and I’m reminded of the many ideas that have come as a result of TT. It really is special to be engaged in conversation rather than just fluff discussion, and the abilities and successes of those I’ve met each year motivate me to move forward towards my specific goals. I appreciate every one of you. Many thanks DK.
ReplyWow, it’s always amazing to see something really tangible come from a simple idea you once had. You are really changing the face of business, dk. Do you really think that a bunch of grocery store owners would put together a rad weekend get away focused around selling more produce? No way jose.
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