Last year I changed jobs and went to work for Confio Software. It was a wonderful transition, and when I showed up at the PASS Summit I was proud to have my badge tell everyone that I was now with Confio. I was also on the Board of Directors, so I had a ribbon displaying that information as well. So, two pieces of information hanging around my neck, one showing the name of my company, and one showing I was on the PASS Board of Directors.
And neither one would get me past that security guard.
As the vendor expo was about to open, my coworkers were inside the expo hall, getting the booth ready. I was to be there, helping them, except but for one small issue: I couldn’t get past the guard at the door. Apparently I needed to have a vendor ribbon, which I didn’t have. Silly me figured that explaining the ribbon that said ‘PASS Director’ combined with my badge that said ‘Confio Software’ would provide enough evidence that I could, indeed, walk through that door without it causing any concern.
I promise you I was very polite in stating my case. After about five minutes I was quite confused. And frustrated. I mean, I was supposed to be in there! But the guard would not budge, insisting that without the vendor ribbon I was not allowed.
“I don’t care who you are, sir, you are not allowed to enter.”
I really couldn’t argue with that logic.
So I waited.
Good to know since this will be my first Summit as a marketing whore/booth babe/evangelist. I’ll be sure to get the right ribbon ahead of time.