Pulse Legacy Archive November 2012 | Page 74

end notes

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER!
@LynneMcNees

“The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the
word crisis. One brush stroke stands for danger,
the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of
the danger, but recognize the opportunity.”
PHOTO © TIFFANY BROWN

A

—Former U.S. President John F. Kennedy
crisis is truly an opportunity. Regardless of how you plan—the unexpected will

always happen. Now that the ISPA Conference is in the rearview mirror, let’s
reflect on a few past ISPA Conference adventures we have encountered along the
way.
Crisis: In 2001, the ISPA Conference & Expo was slated to be held at the still

under construction Diplomat Resort and Spa. Approximately eight months out
from Conference, we were notified that the hotel would not be completed in time
and that we would have to relocate.
Opportunity: The ISPA Conference & Expo was moved to Palm Springs,
California and is still remembered today as one of the best ISPA
Conferences ever.
Crisis: The very next year, the 2002 ISPA Conference & Expo was to be

OPPORTUNITY
DANGER

held in Anaheim, California. Just a few weeks out, we were far from
filling our contracted room block.
Opportunity: The Anaheim Angels won the 2002 World Series over
the San Francisco Giants, 4 games to 3. Luckily, fans came to Anaheim the same
week as our Conference to support their team which sold out the hotel, releasing
us from any contractual obligations. They were truly angels to us!
Crisis: After living in Lexington, Kentucky for several years and renting a townhouse
that was poorly managed by the landlord, my parents came to visit and suggested
that if I was going to stay in Lexington, I should really invest in real estate and buy a
house.
Opportunity: After returning from an extended medical leave, I went to look at a
house I was interested in purchasing. A very cute man came to the door. I was
smitten. That cute man (Barry) is now my cute husband of 11 years.
Crisis: This year, two weeks before our Conference at the Gaylord Palms in Florida,

our long-time partner Gaylord properties announced that it sold its hotel brand to
Marriott International.
Opportunity: To be continued… Well, we shall see...
How have you recognized the opportunity in a crisis?

72 PULSE

n

November 2012

—LYNNE McNEES, ISPA PRESIDENT