Acting on autopilot ...

It’s like being on drugs, on the fast track without exits, or on autopilot for the last couple of days at the conference. You have to be so focused and "present" all the time, which gets exhausting and even at night my head is spinning.

The tourism conference IPW - which stands for „International Powwow“ (name was changed last year to the abbreviation IPW because of political correctness) - started sunday morning at 8 am with the „German VUSA Breakfast“ (VUSA is part of U.S. Travel Organization) in our hotel’s ballroom. Media Brunch at Hancock Center followed, and we enjoyed great views from the observation deck (see pic), especially since the sun was out for a change. Chicago restaurants had set up food boothes and we enjoyed a variety of specialities; it’s just been kind of difficult to find something else to drink but alcohol.

The mayor gave a speech and around noon busses left for different media tours. I had chosen the culinary tour, Peter the sports tour (including parts of a Cubs baseball game), both so-so. Back to the hotel at 5 pm and on to the Grand Opening Party at some film studios called "Cinespace" in the outskirts.

Huge halls, several stages with DJs and bands and other acts, and rowing up around food and drinks in abundance. Other than at previous powwows they had seating areas and at least you weren’t forced to balance a glass and a plate while socializing. Also, the food, different restaurants served was really good. Best porkbelly I’ve ever had. Unfortunately the high noise level made communication difficult.

Yesterday we had to get up early for a press conference at 8 am. Monday is „Media Day“ and in the morning we were running around in one big ballroom to talk to different suppliers/tourism people sitting at tables. We’ve been told that about 500 journalists from all over the world are present, the german group consisted of 17 journalists. In the afternoon we had our own table where people stopped by to introduce their destination or produce. Inbetween: lunch and entertainment. Musicians from bands like Santana, Boston or Lynyrd Skynyrd were playing on a large rotating stage in the center. What a strategic challenge to feed 6.200 attendants at the same time!!! Also, what an effort to arrange transportion for all these people by busses, from about 10 different hotels to the convention center and back, to parties and tours. Don't know how many volunteers are involved, but for sure many.


After "Media Reception" back to the hotel at 6 pm to dress down. Have been invited to dinner by tourism friends of us and had our last steak in the U.S. for this trip. Too noisy for conversation, as usually in american restaurants. On to the Texas Party, and, corresponding to their state slogan: it was "BIG". Several hundreds of people were invited to a nightclub called EPIC. It was packed! We still got in without problems, but later there was a „1-in, 1-out“ rule and lines were long at the entrance. "Home“ at about 10 pm.

Press Conferences all morning today. We skipped lunch with New-York-style Broadway entertainment (same like last year) and worked instead in the press room with popcorn for lunch. Media will be permitted on the trade floor after lunch and we do have our first appointment at 2 pm. End of appointments will be at 5 pm and at 6 pm the first of four parties today starts.