I want you to think about Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” (Le quattro Stagioni) and in particular L’inverno (Winter). If the music doesn’t come to mind quickly, perhaps you might know it best from the opening of the culinary documentary series, Chef’s Table.
It begins primarily with a single violin and then cascades into a rapturous orchestral movement. Look it up: you’ll recognize the tune in a New York minute.
Vivaldi also wrote accompanying sonnets for each season, translated to English by Armand D’Angour. For winter, the end of the sonnet reads:
We tread the icy path slowly and cautiously, for fear of tripping and falling.
Then turn abruptly, slip, crash on the ground and, rising,
hasten on across the ice lest it cracks up.
We feel the chill north winds course through the home
despite the locked and bolted doors…
Does this read somewhat like running a business, having a life, during a pandemic?
I’ve co-opted these words because, like every good networking event, every good conference and tradeshow, every good sit at the bar with colleagues: we are at our best when we put our voices together in unison. Mine is just one voice and one experience, but collectively, this industry becomes a choir of deep bass tones harmonizing with the smoothest of altos and the highest of sopranos. And what a lovely song it is.
“This is the year that we need to come back, talk, get energized, and fix our businesses to expand and grow—and I’ll tell you every step of the way why I didn’t fail,” said Michael Cerbelli at the recent CS + TSE Pre-show Pep Rally, adding, “If you join us in Miami, all of the leaders of the industry will be there.”
It’s those industry leaders on stage and in the hallways that make this event so important to attend: the company CEOs whose staffs are devoutly loyal and hardworking, the imaginative culinary geniuses who make meals unforgettable, the sales directors who consistently bring in the million-dollar events, the event planners whose overarching creativity is a joy to experience. Why are they still in business? How can you take what they are vocalizing and apply it to your own businesses?
The Special Event, co-located with The Catersource Conference & Tradeshow, is heading to Miami July 19 – 22, 2021. Immerse yourself in an inspiring and safe event focused on the new trends and opportunities in events and catering. Learn more
We are moving into Vivaldi’s “Spring” now, as the pandemic lifts. Hooray!
Springtime is upon us.
The birds celebrate her return with festive song,
and murmuring streams are softly caressed by the breezes.
Thunderstorms, those heralds of Spring, roar,
casting their dark mantle over heaven, then they die away to silence,
and the birds take up their charming songs once more.
Join our beautiful industry gathering in July. I hope to see you there.
