Read Online Confessions of an Event Planner: Case Studies From the Real World of Events--How to Handle the Unexpected and How to Be a Master of Discretion by Judy Allen - Free Book Online
Authors: Judy Allen
Tags: Travel, Non-Fiction
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any time soon. There we sat in the morning sun getting ticketed as some of our guys in the convertibles drove by on the other side of the road. Sure enough, they spotted us. They waved and called out to Dee Dee, who laughingly told them she was just showing them what would happen if they sped. I wasn’t laughing.
3:30 p.m. Everything is in place for the guys’ arrival back. Just like last night I’m sure we’ll hear them before we see them. I am certain that the “no drinking in the car or having drinks en route” rule was violated long ago.
Huge corkboards have been set up to post each group’s photos for judging. Since they’re earning extra points for creativity, I’m confident that we’ll be seeing some unusual photos. As far as I know everything’s been going okay. We’ve received no calls for help or calls from the sheriff’s office, which is a good sign after the attempt to rent chain saws last night, and I’m still a little on edge. I’ve encountered many things on-site but renting chain saws and going so far as to buy shovels and the like to rearrange the landscaping at the hotel is a first. The bubble bath and soap to put in the fountains or swimming pool . . . well, that’s a “been there, handled that one before” item on the list of what to be prepared for. As for the chain saws, I had to give it to the guys. That was a new one to be added to the list.
Just as predicted the convertible car rally stimulated the guys’ creative juices and the spirit of competition. One team, intent on bringing in the best photo of a specific bird’s nest found in the Keys, actually rented a four-seater plane to go up in and take an aerial shot of the nest. I was amazed at the length they went to and their ingenuity. They stood alone on delivering a creative shot of that requirement. No one else topped renting a plane just to take one photograph. However, when it came to certain other required photographs, the theory that great minds think alike was proven (these are all top company performers, after all). I can’t imagine what the poor girl who worked in a coin-operated laundry was telling her family about her day at work this evening. Apparently, all 50 men stopped by this one coin-operated laundry and posed nude, save a small box of soap held strategically in place. Some actually posed nude inside or half-inside the dryer, sitting on washing machines or in some other very interesting pose. And yet, we had not one complaint from the storeowner or employee and neither did the local staff manning the checkpoints. Fifty men bringing in their trousers for laundering is one thing. Fifty men dropping their trousers and running around posing in the nude is another. Man, I hope she had been forewarned. She either played along, thought it was a hoot or is still sitting there in shock. The photos escalated from there. And yes, there had been drinking involved but the drivers swore that they had not partaken. Of course, they were more than ready to make up for it now.
The rest of the night was a blast. The guys partied hard but stayed on property as far as we could tell. Night volleyball on the beach was a hit. They were out to have a good time and to win. They devoured mounds of fresh lobster, shrimp and steaks. The band was terrific and revved them up. The night staff jokingly said that they forgave all past misbehavior, but I noticed that security on the resort was more than doubled tonight. And Mr. Instigator even had his arm around the head of security before the end of the evening. They were now best buddies. The guys tore up the night but in a good way. They’re finally starting to get mellow in Margaritaville and it’s time to leave. Tomorrow they might be hurting and hungover, but tonight was boys’ night and a time to celebrate. The corporate execs have loved every minute of it, and while they raised their eyebrows at the naked soapsuds pictures—ah yes, the guys did finally find a way to have fun with
3:30 p.m. Everything is in place for the guys’ arrival back. Just like last night I’m sure we’ll hear them before we see them. I am certain that the “no drinking in the car or having drinks en route” rule was violated long ago.
Huge corkboards have been set up to post each group’s photos for judging. Since they’re earning extra points for creativity, I’m confident that we’ll be seeing some unusual photos. As far as I know everything’s been going okay. We’ve received no calls for help or calls from the sheriff’s office, which is a good sign after the attempt to rent chain saws last night, and I’m still a little on edge. I’ve encountered many things on-site but renting chain saws and going so far as to buy shovels and the like to rearrange the landscaping at the hotel is a first. The bubble bath and soap to put in the fountains or swimming pool . . . well, that’s a “been there, handled that one before” item on the list of what to be prepared for. As for the chain saws, I had to give it to the guys. That was a new one to be added to the list.
Just as predicted the convertible car rally stimulated the guys’ creative juices and the spirit of competition. One team, intent on bringing in the best photo of a specific bird’s nest found in the Keys, actually rented a four-seater plane to go up in and take an aerial shot of the nest. I was amazed at the length they went to and their ingenuity. They stood alone on delivering a creative shot of that requirement. No one else topped renting a plane just to take one photograph. However, when it came to certain other required photographs, the theory that great minds think alike was proven (these are all top company performers, after all). I can’t imagine what the poor girl who worked in a coin-operated laundry was telling her family about her day at work this evening. Apparently, all 50 men stopped by this one coin-operated laundry and posed nude, save a small box of soap held strategically in place. Some actually posed nude inside or half-inside the dryer, sitting on washing machines or in some other very interesting pose. And yet, we had not one complaint from the storeowner or employee and neither did the local staff manning the checkpoints. Fifty men bringing in their trousers for laundering is one thing. Fifty men dropping their trousers and running around posing in the nude is another. Man, I hope she had been forewarned. She either played along, thought it was a hoot or is still sitting there in shock. The photos escalated from there. And yes, there had been drinking involved but the drivers swore that they had not partaken. Of course, they were more than ready to make up for it now.
The rest of the night was a blast. The guys partied hard but stayed on property as far as we could tell. Night volleyball on the beach was a hit. They were out to have a good time and to win. They devoured mounds of fresh lobster, shrimp and steaks. The band was terrific and revved them up. The night staff jokingly said that they forgave all past misbehavior, but I noticed that security on the resort was more than doubled tonight. And Mr. Instigator even had his arm around the head of security before the end of the evening. They were now best buddies. The guys tore up the night but in a good way. They’re finally starting to get mellow in Margaritaville and it’s time to leave. Tomorrow they might be hurting and hungover, but tonight was boys’ night and a time to celebrate. The corporate execs have loved every minute of it, and while they raised their eyebrows at the naked soapsuds pictures—ah yes, the guys did finally find a way to have fun with
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