Each year, as the annual CSI convention approaches, I can't help but
think back to other conventions. I haven't been to all of them since I
became a member in 1987, but I haven't missed too many, either. I
suppose you could say they're all the same, and in many respects, they
are, but each had its unique experiences.
My first convention was in
Chicago, in 1990. The second was in San Diego, in 1991. I had never been
to California before, and I discovered why everyone wants to live
there. My third convention was in San Francisco, in 1994. It was the
first time I brought my family along, and since then, my wife has
accompanied me each time, and one or both of our children - and their
spouses - made it to a few more.
Many of today's CSI members missed the days when we had fabulous
hospitality suites and parties that went on into the early hours of the
morning. The education sessions and exhibit hall have been much the same
until the last few years, but there were a lot more extracurricular
activities many years ago.
And now, my first convention. The year was 1990. The Institute
president was S. Steve Blumenthal. The president of the host chapter was
Gary Betts, who later went on to be president of the Institute.
- Keynote speakers: Studs Terkel, Willard Scott. These names
don't mean much today, but they were big names then. Terkel was an
author, historian, actor, and broadcaster, who had been blacklisted
during the McCarthy era. Scott also was an author and actor, as well as a
comedian. And, he was the creator of the original Ronald McDonald, and
played the part in 1963.
- Preconvention tours: Underwriters Laboratory, "Chicago Architecture Seen From the Chicago River".
- Hotel (double occupancy): Chicago Marriott, $113, Hyatt Regency, $110, McCormick Center, $106; Lenox Suites, $109.
- Interesting
programs: Editing On-Screen, Integration of CAD Drawings and
Specifications; CSI Format for Mechanical and Electrical
Specifications.
- Registration: $160.
- Travel, from Minneapolis: $75, motor coach direct to hotel, refreshments included.
A brochure produced by the Chicago Chapter offered some interesting
statistics about CSI conventions. According to the brochure, the third
national CSI convention was held in Chicago in 1959; there were 100
exhibit booths. In 1970, Chicago again hosted the annual convention,
this time with 256 exhibit booths. In 1990, the convention returned to
Chicago. For the first time, the number of exhibit booths exceeded
1,000, and a new attendance record of 10,650 was set, a record that
stands to this day.
I had been a CSI member for three years, but this was my first trip
to the annual convention. The Minneapolis-St. Paul chapter set up a
package deal including both lodging and transportation, and we sent a
busload of delegates. We left at at 7:30 a.m., 28 June, and returned
about 1:00 a.m. Monday morning, after the banquet.
The show was only three days, running from Friday, 29 June through
Sunday, 1 July. As a newbie specifier, I had a hard time deciding which
programs to attend. The exhibit space in McCormick Place was
unbelievable! As I started down the first aisle, I began stuffing my
shoulder bag full of literature. I soon acquired another bag; by the
time I got to the end of the first aisle, the bags were bursting, and I
could hardly drag them around the corner. Fortunately, someone told me
the manufacturers would send information by mail.
The two big Saturday night events were hosted by Sherwin-Williams
and Dover Elevators. The Sherwin-Williams event was a dessert party that
filled an entire ballroom; chocolate-dipped strawberries were featured,
and appeared on the invitations, which included a metal pin.
The night ended with the Dover party, which included refreshments
and a live band. This was my first encounter with convention mixers and
hospitality suites, and it was also the first time I had seen some of
our more esteemed members - and their spouses - in a non-business
setting. I learned that these stuffed-shirt, tightly-wound, tie-wearing
specifiers had another side; I was shocked to see them toss aside their
jackets and ties and dance until the wee hours of the morning. Although I
already had known many of our members who went to Chicago, the
convention solidified many relationships that remained through my
career.
CSI's annual convention is always a great place to find out what's
new in construction products, to learn from experts, and, just as
important, to renew old friendships and find out how other members are
trying to solve the same problems we face every day.
As much as we like to be efficient and schedule all of our meetings,
there are times when a chance encounter will lead to more knowledge and
more contacts. I liked the random nature of the exhibit floor. I would
mark up a map to make sure I get to specific booths, but otherwise I
just wandered through the aisles, wondering what I'd see around the next
corner.
There's been talk about the impending death of trades shows, but
it's hard to imagine a replacement. How else could you see so many
products in a short time, talk with the manufacturers' reps, and hold
the products in your hands? Working online can be faster, but talking
with an unknown person in an unknown location does nothing to build
relationships. It's easy to say that that doesn't matter, but when you
have a problem, it's good to be able to call the go-to guy you know, who will be much more willing to take the time to help you figure out how to find a solution.
