MetLife Sponsors "RenGen on the Road" Lecture Series

My gratitude to MetLife, Americans for the Arts and the Marketing Executives Networking Group (MENG) for sponsoring an 11-city RenGen lecture series. Thanks to their incredible support, I am packing my bags and heading to L.A., the first stop on the RenGen On The Road series.

MetLife has been hosting conversations between arts and business people for over a decade. When they asked me to take the message of the RenGen-renaissance generation across country, I was thrilled to be a part of such a cutting-edge program. Joining the tour as a promotional partner is the prestigious Marketing Executives Networking Group (MENG), an international network of 1,800 executive-level marketers who collaborated on the early research for my book by allowing their members to be surveyed.

In truth, having a tour sponsor has long been on my BHAG list. But I was so busy when the book launched, that I couldn't find the time to nail down a sponsor. Enter the Arts and Business Council of the Americans for the Arts and MetLife, and now I am in my bedroom sorting what needs to go to the dry cleaner and feeling excited for the opportunity that lies ahead.

The MetLife Forum Series brings together thought leaders from arts, culture, entertainment, technology and business for a unique look at the rising power of the cultural consumer. I'll give talks about how they're reshaping our culture and how brands can thrive in this changing marketplace.

We'll tackle head on the challenges and opportunities this disruptive change represents, such as:

1. How do I give customers opportunities to express their creativity and contribute to my brand’s story without losing control?

2. How do I speak to a broader audience when customers want to be treated as individuals?

3. How do I build community when competition is ever more intense?

4. How do I forge relationships with diverse audiences in a culture undergoing gale force change?

5. What does it take to make my brand mean something at a reasonable cost?

6. Who's already doing it right now, and what are the secrets they’ve learned?

If you are in L.A and want to drop by, the event kicks off at 8:00AM at the LA County Arts Commission, 1055 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 800, Los Angeles, CA 90017.

While I'm an intrepid traveler, 11 cities in 60 days feels a bit hectic, considering I have other business travel adding to the swinging door that is my life. Thinking ahead, I gathered my things to inventory--what needed replenishing and what I could live without. Using the old hikers axiom to gather what you think you need, cut it in half, and pack half of that, I chose judiciously. The photo shows what made the cut. If anyone out there has a fav travel tip or product, I am all ears. I strive to de-stress the travel process!

From left to right:
1. mesh see-through pencil case with tea bags and post-it notes (reduces chaos in hand bag)
2. labeled charge cord for Blackberry (I labeled all my cords this year, which has proven immensely helpful.)
3. Blackberry (I am unabashedly addicted)
4. Nokia N75, with reading glasses to read my IMs (Similarly addicted, but for different reasons--takes great photos!)
5. Flip video with batteries
6. 3x5 cards to take notes and sort them in flight, with Tul (pronounced "tool") markers which are fun and practical
7. various health and beauty aids: comb, Chapstick, Body Shop Vit. C Skin Boost for counteracting dehydration from air travel.
8. Airborne (swear by it)
9. Burt's Bees Hand Sanitizer (new to my repertoire but no less appreciated)
10. Nuetragena Hand Creme (heavy, gloppy stuff that restores skin from reptilian to mammalian)
11. Chewy Rolaids (even though I gave up road burgers this year, these still come in handy)
12. Del One-Drop breath freshener (absolutely cherry bombs your bad coffee breath)
13. Business card holder
14. Sony portable speakers
15. Soft, spongee brief case with Asus mini-laptop (btw I do not endorse the Asus product, it's been a fussy machine and customer support the worst I've encountered. Bought it, am stuck with it, but it is lightweight.)
NB: I do not accept any fees for mentioning products on this blog. The items listed are not products of any of the clients of the consulting practice.