Paris
me, the tower, Goldie
mic in handeXpCon had never been to Paris. Then, in July, it was. I was there for all of it.
(staff issue: one shirt, one beret.)me, the tower, Goldiemic in handeXpCon had never been to Paris. Then, in July, it was. I was there for all of it.
(staff issue: one shirt, one beret.)That line came from our own invitation, and it was true. eXpCon had travelled before, but never here. You do not get many firsts in a career that are also in the most photographed city on earth, so I tried to notice it while it was happening. Mostly I noticed my feet.
The staff instructions said to bring your most comfortable walking shoes. I read that as a suggestion. It was a prophecy.
The city had just come off Bastille Day, the light hung on past half nine at night, and every conversation in the hallway seemed to switch languages twice before it reached the point. That last part is the reason I do this job.
on stage, mic in hand
on stage, again
with the speakersno one asked
"where are you from?"
everyone asked
"where are you selling?"
▶the panel, if you missed it
I hosted. My job was to ask the question everyone was thinking and then get out of the way. The room did the rest. One line from the stage made it onto the screen in capital letters, which is how you know it landed: market yourself, not the property.
watch it before you write your next listing.The best thing anyone does at a conference happens between sessions, with a coffee, in the wrong language.
I bring my family along when I can. After Paris, my mom and my daughter Goldie joined me. Three generations, all in black, and one red heart balloon.
three of us
coffee + balloonà bientôt, Paris →