VOICE2008 Creative Experience (ahem) Article

[toddschick]

Hey All....

Interesting to note that I made this same post on V123 and it was promptly deleted by the powers that be over there....no doubt their plebes saw VOICE2008 and couldn't delete the thread fast enough.....

Funny how that happened.

Anyhoo.....I wrote an...."article" on the conference for all to see....

The Post Voice2008 International Creative Conference Experience 2008 article.

I hope you like it. I hope it entertains you. I hope you respond.

And...

I hope you are all well and enjoying the latter part of the summer....

Kind regards,

Todd Schick

[Diane Havens]

So, how was the Tom Petty concert?

[Robert Jadah]

While it's much like a restaurant review of a menu from which one didn't order, Todd, I almost enjoyed your quasi-review of an event that you didn't attend.
I didn't either.
I hated seminars at university, and imagine I'd feel likewise now.
Moreover, since I almost make a respectable living at VO, I feel that a big outlay of cash to hear about branding and marketing and mic placement is akin to paying dollars for lectures on beer consumption.

Been there. Know it.

BUT, Todd....

Of our many peers who have kept me in the VOICE 2008 loop, not one has bemoaned the money and time spent. Not one.

Every single one has vouched for the joy and edification of sharing time with like-minded pros.

For me, for example, to arrange a world tour to visit and chat with: you, Debbie Munro, James, Penny, Bob Bergen, Philip Banks, Bob Souer, Rajiv Hassan, Brad Venable, Nancy Wolfson, Erik Sheppard, and a host of other informed VO people would cost somewhere in the neighbourhood of $250,000.

$4,000 seems like a bargain.

It's not always about what they give. Sometimes, it's about what you get. No?

Questioningly Yours,

[Lee Gordon]

Seabiscuit called. He said, "Stop beating me!"

[Claired]

Originally Posted by Robert Jadah

It's not always about what they give. Sometimes, it's about what you get. No?

He, he, Robert! I totally agree with you!
Todd, I really enjoyed your non-review!
But you can't blame Penny and James for being a bit touchy with you, if you remember how hurt they felt at the comments written about Voice following your previous article.
All I could see around me were people really happy to be there, so really that's all that matter. If they made money whilst making everyone happy, then it's ok with me. Why should they do this for charity after all?

[Jodi Krangle]

Todd, you are definitely an entertaining read. :) Glad to see you here.

[toddschick]

Hey everyone!

Wow! So cool and nice to see that everyone has a sense of humor....and point taken about the opportunity to see all these people in one spot.....I LOVED how you massaged the numbers, Robert...LOL!

As for James and Penny...well, I merely stated numbers and didn't imply that they made.....anything, really. My thinking is, if you're going to charge the public $596 and 459 people register....well....that's a lot of money, isn't it? The Truth. If James and Penny bristle at that....then I submit they probably did make a whack of dough.....but who cares, really? I just quoted on the numbers because....well.......I wasn't there.

Tom Petty was AWESOME! Steve Winwood opened with "I'm a Man"....."Mr. Fantasy" was especially good - Tom...as always, the consumate entertainer......the whole place sung every song....I'll never forget it. His first time in Winnipeg (my hometown) and I couldn't have picked a better place to go see him for the first time.

Now, to the task at hand.

I would appreciate (all) your formal comments on the conference if you were there; both good and bad. Since I truthfully wasn't there, I'd like to ensure that those who couldn't make it get an idea of what went down.

Thanks everyone!

Kind regards,

Todd Schick

[Diane Havens]

I love Tom Petty -- and Steve Winwood too! Very cool. Sounds like a great time. I haven't seen Tom Petty in concert in way too many years.

As for the conference, I did go. We have been posting our comments here and elsewhere since we came back. I think all were positive overall.

I had the most wonderful time -- of course, there was some room for improvement on details, but nothing glaring. Feedback sheets were filled out after each presentation, and after the conference as a whole for us to give our suggestions for any improvements or for kudos on a job well done.
There was a real community feel, a supportive atmosphere -- if nothing else, it pumped you up and got you reenergized about your career. And I learned some things, made contacts, met with a dear client, and most delightfully, made real, live friends with whom I could share a meal or a drink, chat about busines and pleasure, look in the eye and laugh in the sun. (And who, by the way, were not acting like college frat boys or girls gone wild -- at least for the most part.:)

It was an enjoyable, professional experience, and I combined it with a family vacation, so worked out fabulously for my husband and son as well.

[toddschick]

Hey Diane....

Thanks!

I really don't have a pile of time to dig up and read up all the stuff posted; plus, I would like permission from people to post stuff on my site - thus my request for submissions. I'm going to keep checking this thread for more comments like yours.....which, by the way..has been posted.

Thanks again.

Kind regards,

Todd Schick

[John Spackman]

Hi Todd,

I did attend Voice 2008. As a member of the Canadian contingent I can say we represented ourselves pretty well. Or at least we made our presence known. Personally I didn't see anyone throw up in the lobby of the Hyatt -- but the view from under the bar was somewhat restricted.

Seriously though it was a great event. Too bad you missed it. I'm sure your witty sarcasm would have been well received by all - if not by James & Penny. Speaking of whom, I kinda disagree with your suggestion that they made tons of money from the convention. If that was the case, they wouldn't be hesitating about organizing a 2009 event.

Was it a good learning experience? No, not really. You can only pick up a few nuggets of info from each 1.5 hour presentation - although the written material is worthwhile. Was it an opportunity to evaluate voice coaches and decide if you want to use their services and/or products? Yes.

And finally, was the networking aspect worthwhile? This is the key point, and the answer is a very big YES !

I have to quote Diane Havens "There was a real community feel, a supportive atmosphere -- if nothing else, it pumped you up and got you reenergized about your career " That's what it was all about.

Todd, why don't you plan to visit us in Vancouver next year for Deb & Bob's cruise? There's a Hyatt here with a really nice bar - and great view of the lobby - just in case someone throws up. Zing !

John