A Trip to Boise, ID - Part 1

A Trip to Boise, ID

Part 1

Earlier this year I met two great ladies from the Boise Centre in Boise, ID at the IBTM Trade Show held in Chicago, IL.  It took about 5 minutes for us to become friends, and when they heard I had not been to Boise, let alone Idaho, it wasn't long before an invitation to visit their fabulous area arrived in my Inbox.

So last week, I experienced Boise and the surrounding area in all its splendor!

First, a huge thank you goes out to Lynda Alexander and Lori Brown from the Boise Centre for making sure I received an invitation.  Second, many thanks to everyone at the Boise Convention & Visitors Bureau for making it happen, and to the The Riverside Hotel for hosting the group.  To say you were the most gracious hosts would truly not do justice to your amazing hospitality!

Day 1

I arrived into the Boise Airport on Sunday afternoon.  The airport is efficient, well laid out, and convenient to the city (less than 10 miles).  It was surprising how many direct flights come into this airport with more being added.  I loved the local flavor in the selection of restaurants, and the fantastic artist's co-op where I was able to get some shopping done!   Click here to learn more about the Boise Airport.

After a little rest and relaxation at the hotel, it was time to meet the rest of the group and take a tour of The Riverside Hotel.  I found the sleeping room to be more than comfortable, with a bed that was absolute perfection!  My room overlooked the pool, so I was treated to live music coming from the Sand Bar, which goes on daily and into the evening.  The heated pool is open until 10:00pm and at 9:00pm I found myself enjoying it alone, with the twinkling blue lights in the trees above, and the music playing in the background...heavenly!  The meeting space is functional and was very busy with groups during our stay.  Check out their website for layouts and capacities.  Click here to go to the Riverside Boise Hotel site.  I understand the hotel is due for some renovation as it is showing some signs of being well loved.

It was then off to the Boise Centre, an incredible convention space in the heart of the city.  I would book this venue in a heartbeat.  It's new, it's light, it's expanding!  It isn't McCormick, but that's the point.  We enjoyed a steak dinner that was by far one of the best meals I have ever experienced, and this praise was shared by the rest of the group.  No worries about the quality of food at this venue!  The management and staff were top notch, and you can rest assured your group will be well taken care of by them.  To learn more, click here.

That's it for Part 1, Day 1!  There is so much to write about, it will have to be broken down by day.  Subscribe to the blog to get the next update and in the meantime, to learn all about Boise and to plan your visit, click here to go to the Boise Convention & Visitors Bureau website.

Honestly....

In Minnesota where I live, "Minnesota Nice" is worn like a badge of honor.  We are very polite here, almost to a fault, and that's wonderful, right?  Not one to reveal a secret, but I have to be honest here, "Minnesota Nice" is mostly another term for "Passive Aggressive"!  We know it, and freely admit it, but never to outsiders!

Enter this new phenomenon known as Trump.  We gasp at his blatant honesty and straightforwardness, and watch as he rises in the polls.  The media is stunned.  So this morning, I took some time to think about the driving factor behind this, and I think it comes down to the fact that people really do appreciate those who are direct.  In Minnesota, we snicker at the people "out East" who we deem to be SO rude.  Is it rudeness?  Or do they just want to quit wasting everyone's time and get down to business?

I recently exchanged an email with a New Yorker, trying to figure out how to dance around getting an invitation for a business partner to an important meeting.  She said "I don't want to waste his time as we'll never use his services".  Rather than feeling put out, I appreciated that she told me.  And not to pick on Minnesotans, because I am one, we would have said "oh yes, tell him to come", then would have quietly resented it!

I remember when I was working as a meeting planner and didn't have the heart to turn people down for an appointment, lunch, phone call, etc.  I found myself almost resenting the people who were "stealing" my time, yet whose fault was it?  Now that the shoe is on the other foot and I'm the one asking for a planner's time, I find that I'm appreciating when they say "we are working with another company" or "we don't have a need for your services".  Thank you...now I can move on instead of putting you on a reminder list.  We've both saved time.

I'm vowing to take a page out of Trump's playbook, only it will be balanced by a genuine dose of "Minnesota Nice".

I welcome your thoughts!