It’s the end of the last day of the 3rd ConvergeSouth. I’ve enjoyed and I’ve eaten (great dinner for 30+ people on the roof of Ganache) and I’ve talked with new and old friends. Beyond tired and surprisingly not sleepy, it’s a good moment to say thank you to all those who stepped up and handled events perfectly and created new memories. Enumerated list of great folks’ contributions to follow but one note.
I’ve wanted to thank Ed Cone for his help this year but avoided doing so because I figured it was an open invitation for those who don’t like us to trash Ed, or me, or the conference. No matter; have at it should you feel the need. What you should know is that Ed’s Rolodex and personal relationships helped us secure great presenters but moreover, when it came to doing anything, his answer was always, “I’ll do whatever you need and what’s best for ConvergeSouth.” And then he did. He was gracious, didn’t believe any job was “too small,” and opened both his contact list and his wallet when we needed them (although once it had only $6 in it because his kids had cleaned it out moments earlier). He makes a great coffee partner to flesh out ideas and create a conference vision. And when something needed explaining and words failed me, I’d send him 10 pm emails with the subject line, ‘wordsmith,’ and he’d return a great paragraph that handled whatever the matter of the day was. (It may surprise you but I can be a little blunt at times. Ed’s got a way with words and he shares.)
This is a great town. Thanks to everyone; more, of course, later; film at eleven and I’m going to bed.
[...] when you don’t know where the free wireless is! (And and? when you know you’re missing good food and good company it gets a little forlorn. Just a [...]
You deserve a good night sleep! Thank you so much for everything you do. ConvergeSouth (as always!) was just fantastic – my favourite conference which I would never miss for anything!
Thanks again Ed, Sue, Ben and all. I heard about the conference last year when I more actively followed the goings-on at the GLUG site — Ben — and made it this year after hearing Ed and Joe’s interview with Josh Neas on WQFS. Maybe next year I can help by putting something up around the Guilford Campus (night student) or posting an announcement on the message board explaining what it is, also have friends that go to HPU at night. Kinda surprised to not see more of a presence from the other local colleges at an event that melds journalism, activism, technology, etc. Anyhwo, thanks again and let me know how I can help.
What a wonderful day. Thanks so much. I promise to be of more help next year.
[...] Sue Polinsky: Thank you for the trust you showed in me to do this right and for providing the budget for the bands. There’s no way I could’ve raised the money myself this year with my schedule. I’m still pissed about the BBQ scheduling overlap which cost us at least 40 people turning out, but I can file that experience under “Shit Not To Do Again” if you can. [...]