2012 already a year to remember

So it’s been far too long since my last post and a whole lot has transpired since. I guess that’s why I’ve been too busy to post.

I’ll try to spare too many details but still write about some of what’s been going on. Let’s see… at the end of last year we were busy creating a “DuPont 20 Years” marketing and PR plan as 2012 marks the 20^th year of DuPont partnering with Jeff Gordon and the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team. They are the longest currently running sponsor/driver/owner combination in all of NASCAR. We are proud to say that Performance PR Plus is the fourth partner in the relationship as we have also been there since the beginning!

Our Charlotte Destination Group (CDG) business has really come back strong in 2012. After several years of what is commonly known as “The Enron Effect” along with corporate budgets being slashed since the recession – meetings, conferences and conventions are back on the rise and we’ve been able to partner with several coming to Charlotte including some of the biggest.

But nothing will be bigger in Charlotte this year than the Democratic National Convention. The DNCC announced last week that CDG was one of three companies that partnered, and was awarded, the bid for one of the largest DNC contracts -- transportation. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We are so proud to be a part of such a significant event and to represent the Queen City in this manner.

In the mean time, we moved from our offices of 17 years located on the north edge of “uptown” Charlotte to the Federal Reserve Building on

E. Trade St

. What a huge step up this has been as we are now in the heart of the city just blocks from the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Time Warner Arena, The Epicenter and most every other major uptown attraction and the offices of many of our partners. Our employees love it here and I’m really enjoying getting out and walking to all of our meetings throughout the week because I truly love our clean, friendly, vibrant city.

I set up my new office with all my favorite things that I've collected over the years. One is my Jim Hunter bobble-head doll. For those of you who didn’t know him, “Hunter” was my mentor when I interned at NASCAR many moons ago and was an icon in the industry for many more moons than that. I still miss him dearly.

The other is my Jiminy Cricket which hangs above base that reads “Let your conscious be your guide.” How can having hose two items alone not just completely inspire and guide me each day?

Well, with this being a huge year professionally, I don’t expect any big vacations anytime soon. And since my husband has given up on boating, we are looking forward to taking the RV and getting away from it all a little here and there throughout the year.

I recently planted our veggie garden, and although the pollen was doing its best to hinder my progress – I know fresh, organic veggies are going to be plentiful in a few months after the pollen has long subsided.

So here’s to spring. I hope you take the time to enjoy it and don’t let the pollen (yes, that’s a metaphor for all things that irritate or try to keep you from flourishing) succeed at getting the best of you! And I hope all is plentiful for you this year – especially when it comes to the things that matter most.

Just let your conscious be your guide.