Okay, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I am a complete moron when it comes to traveling. Business travel especially. I forget the essentials, run around wondering who to tip, and cannot even pretend to be in my element when standing in a fancy hotel. I’m pretty sure the hotel staff laughs at me on the inside.
So in a couple of weeks, I’m flying to Salt Lake City for a women’s business retreat hosted by Startup Princess. I’m actually really looking forward to it, since I’ve never been that far west in my life. But I am starting to slightly freak out. Here are the things that get me jittery.
- The hotel. Good Lord (and I mean that respectfully), it is gorgeous. And huge. I can imagine there are 674,992 ways to get lost in it.
- The people. Smart, successful, and most likely at least 6 inches taller than me (I’m 5’1″.) There’s Gabrielle Blair of Design Mom and Kirtsy fame (aka: very cool New York designer/blogger/globe trotter); Janet Meiners, guru of internet and affiliate marketing; Barbara Jones, expert in word of mouth marketing; and (of course) Kelly Anderson, founder of Startup Princess.
Don’t get me wrong…I love meeting new people. I’ll just have to be a bit cooler than usual and come armed with a list of interesting things to say. (Umm…that’s cool, right???)
- The location. Salt Lake City is FAR away, people. Far, far away. For a super homebody like me, that’s kind of a big deal.
- The speech. Yep, it’s just 5 minutes. A 5 minute tip on…well, something internet related. I haven’t decided yet (suggestions welcome). But 5 minutes can seem indeterminably long when you have a bunch of pairs of eyeballs staring at you.
What was that SNL line again? I am funny and smart, and darn it…people like me. Something like that. Maybe I need to glue it to my computer for the next week or so. If you have any business travel tips for me, bring ‘em on.
Posted on October 29, 2008 at 1:43 pm 
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Of course everything will go perfect and smoothly!! Not to mention you’re TRAVELING on the same flight as 3 of our speakers so you’ll be in good hands once you arrive and get those jitters out quick as we’ll all be traveling up to the hotel together. And hey! I’m just 5’1 as well! Maybe 5′ 1/2, but I like to wear heels…so that’s a trick.
Can’t wait to see you and meet you in person FINALLY.
As far as your presentation goes… not worries. We’re all cheering for you.
You are such an encourager.
It’s good to step outside of your comfort zone, right?
How you describe feeling about coming to the conference is how I feel about my new neighborhood. Like an imposter. The fancy homes and the beautifully planned lives. I find myself not sure what to say or how to join in. So for now I watch a lot and look for openings.
Even though I’m 8 inches taller than you (lol) I’m really approachable. I’ve stayed at this hotel once. The staff was amazingly friendly and not snobby at all. It doesn’t have that Park City attitude.
Kelly creates a supportive inclusive atmosphere at all of her events.
So welcome to Utah and I’ll see you at the conference next week. Here’s my business travel tip – be yourself…that will be enough.
Janet
Thanks for the tips, Janet! I’m glad to know that I have no reason to be intimidated. Good luck with your neighbors…mine are all elderly, so I just feel like a whipper snapper most of the time.
Don’t worry, it will be awesome.
See you at the conference!
Oh wait, I’m not going. Never mind.
We haven’t really talked in a LONG TIME! I had no idea you were planning on this. Woah Nellie! I’ll be praying for you…I’m so proud of you I could burst. Yay for Sarah! You are going to ROCK.