Walking into my first meeting last Friday morning I was pulled into the office of a very excited and animated Director of Sales (of one of the higher rated hotels in the Meetings Intelligence Exchange.) As I entered her office I realized she was on the speakerphone with a woman who was equally excited.

I was invited to listen in as the customer confirmed the hotel had won their $400,000 piece of business (that will arrive in four months.) At the last minute two competing hotels dropped their prices almost 50% when they realized they were about to lose the business.

I thought it was pretty cool that the hotel with the higher price won the business and the customer stuck with the hotel she trusted even when she could have saved thousands of dollars at another.

It was nice to see one of my customers having a great day.

My next meeting canceled.

Having a couple of extra hours was a welcome surprise so I decided to call some of my trusted “insiders” to see how their business was doing. If one of my customers was having a great day I was hoping others were also.

Dan is a mentor and one of the best salesmen I know. I asked, how’s your business?

It sucks! This week I have groups in Costa Rica, Europe and New York and everywhere we go people tell us their business s_ _ _ _ too.

Three programs on three different continents in the same week is his s _ _ _ _y reality but it didn’t sound bad to me.

Next I phoned one of my “go to people” that I can always count on to get the job done when the pressure is on.

How’s your business Deb?

It’s ok. I’m working on a few things, but it’s taking a heck of a long time and a lot of people to get things done.

Her “few things” are 11 contracts worth $3.5 million. All will travel within nine months.

Then I caught up with a Special Events Director who orchestrates three major events each year. Three weeks ago she decided to take on a fourth (so she could have some fun managing $5 million in catering functions over seven days.)

I know business is still pretty rough, but I’m beginning to think the glass really is half full.

How about you? Tell me what you think at blog.meetingsintel.com.

The Optimist,

Tim Ryan

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