Good day, eh…

Back to another airport layover. I’m sitting here in Detroit, half-way home from this week’s Ontario Motorcoach Association Marketplace and Conference. Seems like I just did this not very long ago!

What a difference a day (and a location) makes! You may have read my “impressions” of NTA below, and I promised to write what I thought of OMCA. I can sum it up in the simple fact that I’ve already sent emails to “the gang”, telling them that they MUST plan on being in Toronto next year!

From the first greeting, our good friends up North were perfect hosts. I learned more about Canada in five days than I learned in 10 years living in Detroit as a kid, with frequent trips across the river to Windsor and Toronto. What a beautiful place Ottawa is! We visited Parliament, the breathtaking Cathedral of Notre Dame, and walked all over town. Great shopping, good restaurants, and the most polite panhandlers I’ve ever encountered (”no, sorry, I don’t have any change” “Oh, that’s alright, eh. Someone else will have something. Have a great night, eh!”). And, even though I was terrible at it in Elementary School, walking around with people speaking French all around me was totally delightful. I will be back!

The conference? It was like being back home with my “family” in Virginia or North Carolina. I haven’t felt this welcomed to a new convention since I went to my first NCMA years ago. Everyone was very gracious, welcoming, and friendly. This is how these organizations should be run! I’ve got some great ideas to share with my friends back in the States for their conventions…things like having the entire Board of Directors of OMCA lined up to welcome everyone to the Ice Breaker the first night. What a wonderful touch, and it really did break the ice perfectly! Or the Roundtable, where the Suppliers all sat, and the Operators went from table to table answering questions, and letting us know how we can help them.

And there’s so much more…I honestly felt like I was immediately welcomed as part of the family here, even though I wore that bright green “OMCA Freshman” tag. From the top on down, I was thoroughly impressed by every facet of the convention. Great food, amazing parties, and some wonderful appointments. OK…the marketplace room was a wee bit crowded, but we’re professionals, and — oh, excuse me — we can — no, you go ahead — deal with — sorry, did I step on your foot — a little crowding!

I’m already looking forward to next October in Toronto, and this one will be an “every year” show for us…no questions asked! Thank you, OMCA, for rekindling my excitement after the week in Kansas City attempted to put out the flame! C’est magnifique!

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