Nipping ribbon envy in the bud

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I spoke yesterday afternoon to members of the National Speakers Association. The group is holding its annual conference—dubbed SpeakerPalooza—near San Francisco International Airport. I did a talk on how to build a speaking business using social media; this was at a pre-conference session for the writer/author group within the NSA. When I checked in at the registration area, I was struck by this sign:

Most conferences I attend feature a range of ribbons to attach to your name badge. At the annual IABC conference, in addition to official ribbons, a variety of people produce their own to hand out. There’s an uspoken competition for the most ribbons, and first-time conference attenders with their two ribbons—“Member” and one touting the venue for the next year’s conference—routinely remark on the number of ribbons longer-term members display—usually in elevators. Here’s one of mine from a few years back:

I kinda like the NSA approach.

1. Ribbons are very American, not really come across them much in the UK.

   Posted by Stuart Bruce  on  02/15  at  07:45 AM

2. I was never a big fan of the “mine is bigger than yours” school of thought re ribbons.

   Shel, I would love to hear more about your talk to the speakers. I’ll bet their eyes were opened to new possibilities.

   Posted by Donna Papacosta  on  02/15  at  01:53 PM

3. My first IABC conference… elevator down with another new member and a couple of IABC grandées (who shall remain unnamed).

   Grandées exit. Other member: “Gawd, they were dolled up like a couple of Third World dictators!”

   Remembering her line has sometimes stayed my hand when considering adding to the ribbon stack.

   Posted by Allan Jenkins  on  02/16  at  12:28 AM

4. I have nipple envy too, I wish I had three instead of two! Then my career would be through the glass ceiling :-(

   Posted by Raspusia  on  02/18  at  11:52 AM

5. Shel:

   I enjoyed your talk at the NSA convention. Thanks for taking the time after your talk to give me your views on Social Media which I’ve podcast. You started a whole debate on Social Media at the convention which continues here  and here.

   Posted by Ian  on  02/18  at  12:15 PM