The Conference Starts

Today has been spent immersed in my first SATW conference. Like last night, I wish I’d had my camera handy when a bevy of folk dancers entered the room to entertain us during the opening ceremonies. So I ran upstairs and grabbed it in time to take photos of the crowd – more than 500 travel professionals in a single room! – and of the food. A traditional dish (I’ll find out which) was served for lunch, consisting of a corn pudding with beef beneath and a hardboiled egg and olive within, and a multilayered dessert that melted on the tongue.

Tim Cahill entertained us over lunch, and we’re off to the city tonight for late night dining at local restaurants and a chance to catch some of the nightlife.