I actually decided to call it an early night on Tuesday…okay so 11:30 is early for me. I wanted to get some sleep in preparation for Wednesday’s JAX SMUG launch. However, my brain refused to shut off…of course. So, I laid there thinking of how excited I was. I wondered how many people would attend. I thought about how awesome Jeff Jochums fusion presentation was going to be. I’m not sure when I actually fell asleep but it wasn’t fast enough.
Wednesday arrived and a quote from my friend Dane Sanders quickly occupied my mind… Train wreck or possibility? You see…Jeff got word from the airline that his flight had been canceled. Here’s how the next several hours went…
Me: WHAT? No way! OMGosh…you have got to be kidding me!
Jeff: There’s hope. AA found me a Delta flight. We should be okay.
Me: Whew! That was close!
Jeff: Not out of the woods yet. Flight is delayed and we are waiting to be de-iced.
Me: Praying.
Jeff: We are set to depart but it’s not likely that I will catch my connection in ATL.
Me: Panic! Searching for a second connection flight to get him from ATL to JAX in time.
Me: Did you make it?
Jeff: Missed it by 2 minutes.
Me: Lord help me!!! This is my very first meeting. I feel a train wreck coming.
Me: I found you another flight that will get you in here in the nick of time! Yahoo!!!
Jeff: That flight is full with a 15 passenger standby. It’s not looking good.
Me: TRAIN WRECK for sure!
Jeff: They boarded 14 of the 15 standby’s. Guess what # I was? 15!
Me: Praying. Still praying. On my way to the meeting. Praying.
Train wreck or possibility? The room quickly filled and there I was…just little ol’ me…no Jeff. POSSIBILITY was my choice! I gathered my thoughts and my swag…special thanks to my {Walk The Shot} Sponsors…and I went all in for our JAX SMUG launch. I have no doubt that there was initial disappointment in the announcement that Jeff was stuck in the Atlanta airport and was not going to make it…I could feel it. But what I also felt was a room full of eager colleagues willing to communicate, participate and turn this train wreck into a great opportunity for a collaboration of thought and ideas. I gave my WPPI speech about investing in your clients…the extended version. I felt the acceptance, understanding and support from all in the room.
I can not thank you enough Jacksonville! I am so excited about our JAX SMUG!!! Considering the unforeseen circumstances regarding our scheduled speaker, I could not be happier with the outcome of our official launch. As someone who believes that all things happen for a reason, I am proud to have avoided the train wreck and accepted the opportunity to speak to and with you, my COLLEAGUES. I appreciate all of your feedback and participation during our meeting. This is a community that I am proud to be a part of. I want this group to continue to grow, learn and support each other! I have great expectations for the future and I couldn’t be happier to have all of you aboard as we take this journey together. I thank you all for the kind words and support that you have shown. It was truly my pleasure. I hope that you were each able to depart with some small nugget of information that you didn’t arrive with. I am anxiously awaiting our April meeting!!! See ya then!
*Special thanks to Brittany Bell for the images below.
Never doubted you for a moment, Dawn – especially after seeing you in the SmugMug booth at WPPI (and hangin with you at the Slumber Party). I look forward to getting out to the April meeting and will try to live up to the high bar you set with your first SMUG meeting.
jeff
I WISH I was apart of such an awesome thing as this JAx Smug!! I am so proud of you Dawn for rocking it even when you were faced with a slight bump in the road!!!! :)
I love the JAXSMUG Dawn. i think as we look over the next 9 meetings this year, i KNOW that many of us will grow in the business and art of photography. Your knowledge and the that of others is a great and valuable asset that many larger markets do not utilize to the benefit of all. A rising tide lifts all boats. Thanks once again for being such a great photographer, and more, for being such a GREAT PERSON!
LOVE this post!! I was right there with ya on the edge of my seat! :)
I WISH I was apart of such an awesome thing as this JAx Smug!! I am so proud of you Dawn for rocking it even when you were faced with a slight bump in the road!!!! :)