2005 Speechwriter's Conference report:
In dribs and drabs, this week and next

Last Friday morning, after I'd spent two days worrying about microphones, between talking with what seemed like every fascinating speechwriter present (and some boring ones, too) ... all the while plotting to find a moment to go to the bathroom, an attendee came up to me and asked, "So, how do you think the conference is going?"

As I slowly turned toward him, I tried to marshal the energy to fabricate what would sound like an objective answer. But when I looked at him, I saw he was smiling and his grin said he understood: I had less idea how this conference was going than the bored union guy slouching at the mixing board.

He knew, because he is a speechwriter.

Speechwriters: my species.

More observations on the conference and the 250 speechwriters who attended it as I decompress, slowly and safely, over the next couple of weeks.

And look for my official, comprehensive report on the conference in the April issue of Speechwriter's Newsletter.