November 27, 2008 by Chris Harrower, CTIS.

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all…

OK, I know we’re supposed to be thankful all year ’round, but on Thanksgiving Day here in the US, it’s time to count your blessings, and mine are too many to count:

I’m thankful for my second family…those people who have become my brothers and sisters in this industry.  The people I travel with and serve with for weeks every year.  Maybe I only see you once or twice a year, or maybe I see you at every show, every month.  Either way, I appreciate you and your support and camaraderie.

I’m thankful for the travel opportunities that Group Sales gives me.  It’s my favorite “fringe benefit” to this job…I don’t do it for the travel, but I still get to visit great places, and see things I’ve never seen before.

I’m thankful for the gift of teaching I’ve been given…I never knew I was going to enjoy sharing what I’ve learned with others, but I truly enjoy doing the Seminar program, and look forward to hopefully teaching more people in 2009 and beyond.

But I’m most thankful for the eight (soon to be nine) lives that God chose to entrust to my care…my wife and kids.  I know they get frustrated with all the travel, and it does get old for them having Dad away for a day, two days, or a full week or more.  But they are my rock, and I wouldn’t trade any of them for the world!

And, of course, I’m very thankful for all the positive feedback I’ve gotten for this Blog…considering that I started it as a lark (”Hey…look at this.  My web hosting package includes a blog — why not?”), the number of comments I get astound me.  And to be called “the blog guy” on a nationwide ABA Conference call floored me!

So again, a very Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, and a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year while we’re at it (in case I don’t talk to you before then)!!

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November 24, 2008 by Chris Harrower, CTIS.

Back home from an excellent NTA convention! Yes, I did say excellent…those who read my words last year after the debacle that was Kansas City may be surprised, but I had a wonderful NTA convention last week, accomplished a bunch of goals, and chalked it up as a successful event.

Congratulations to Barb, Meryl, and the whole gang on a very well run and planned show. From the opening luncheon with Jeff Corwin (I really wish I had gotten downstairs to get his autograph on his book now!), to the closing “Prom” with Marvin Hamlisch (his mastery of the keyboard is simply astounding), it was a great event. Good food (but I never got a Primanti Brothers Sandwich!!), great friends, and a good convention floor (even if the energy level is not at the same pitch as ABA). And I had forgotten what a pretty city Pittsburgh is…on the three rivers, especially at night.

I think the only real disappointment I had all week was with the lack of attention to Orientation. Sure, they run “Convention 101″ the first day or so, but not to the level we do at ABA. I was supposed to take out two floor tours (my specialty) on Sunday, and neither one ran, due to nobody being there. If you don’t put a premium on education, people ignore it, and struggle later. I would encourage NTA to push Orientation more to new members, as a proper foundation is so important.

I actually had a gentleman come looking for me during the final event, to say “Thank you”…he had taken one of my lengthy floor tours in Virginia Beach, and said he was still using some of what I taught during that hour. That really meant a lot to me! When you put a lot of effort into something, and you never know if it’s effective or beneficial to others. To hear that was a real boost, especially after not getting to do any teaching at NTA. So thanks very much, Brad!

So, does this change my opinion of NTA? Sorry, but not in the slightest. While my appointments were good, and while I accomplished my #1 goal for the week (to promote our Arizona theatre to the major west coast Receptive Operators), I still don’t think that the number of quality appointments is worth the expense. I get 66 appointments at ABA every year (and if we took a second person, I know that they would get a full book as well). Anything less than a full book for the same cost is just not worth it to me, especially in this day and age of budget cuts. 37 appointments was very nice (and very high, to hear what some others said), but not worth $4,000!

So I won’t be going to Reno, and probably won’t be going to Montreal in 2010, either. I’m going to keep a close eye on what’s happening with the organization, and can change those plans if I need to (and if the market swings the other way), but for now, it’s “see ya later” to NTA. Nothing personal, folks, but my dollar is getting tighter and tighter, and I’ve got the responsibility to spend money in the most effective way I can.

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November 7, 2008 by Chris Harrower, CTIS.

I walked out front to greet a group last week, and got a surprise that I want to talk about for a second. When I stepped on the coach, the group leader handed me an envelope from the tour company (like Dragnet, the names here have been changed to protect the innocent). I was not expecting anything from them, and the reservation was already paid in full, so I knew it wasn’t a check. I just held on to it, greeted the group, and walked inside to meet them in the lobby.

And while I was waiting, I opened the envelope. Inside was a simple note from the Tour Company, asking us to welcome the group by name, confirming the count, and saying something I’ve taught in the Seminar for years. And I quote:

“P.S. DO NOT GIVE THIS GROUP RECEIPTS OR REFUNDS! Any receipts or refunds go to <name of Tour Company>. If you have any questions, please call <name of Tour Company> at <phone number>. After 5:00PM, please call <tour planner’s name> at <cell phone number>.”

I’ve told my story of a total screwup regarding payment in the Seminar program (and I even have a short video of that section online as a preview of the Seminar program itself…if you insist on seeing it, it’s at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJLfipoj74g). But this is the first time I’ve actually been handed something directly from the Tour Company. How often must this be a problem that they have to send letters along with the groups?

So, are you careful about who you discuss financial or contractual arrangements with? Have you ever given it a thought? I’m guessing there are a lot of people out there who are not being careful, given this letter from the Company. Can I encourage you to go the extra mile, and be very cautious in knowing who you are allowed to discuss certain confidential matters with? It really is important to your customer (and anything important to your customer should be very important to you!!)!

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