Baseball Season is Here!

I had the pleasure of attending the opening day of the new Washington Nationals ballpark yesterday.  I've had season tickets since their move to Washington and have attended many, many games.  The new ballpark is great, with an HD screen that is 4000 square feet! While RFK had a vintage charm, the new ballpark is shiny and new.

The predictions of crowds, lines and parking problems were unfounded.  We purchased a parking pass with our tickets and have a space just two blocks from the stadium, and the best part is that after the game it takes all of one minute to get back on I-395 from the parking lot.  In seasons past, it was next to impossible to get food or drinks during the first couple of weeks of the season, at least without missing a couple innings.  The new ballpark has many more concession stands and the lines were minimal, even with the sellout opening day crowd.

Of course, the highlight of the game was the incredible home run that Ryan Zimmerman hit in the bottom of the ninth inning to win the game (see picture).  The Nats were ahead for most of the game, but the Braves tied it up in the top of the ninth.  Just when it looked like we were going into extra innings (not a great prospect as it was COLD!) Ryan hit the home run to end the game with a 3-2 win.

I encourage all of you to take an evening to visit this new "Washington Monument".

Wedding Marketing Webinar

The Knot recently conducted a one-hour web seminar that covered a variety of topics related to wedding marketing.  The seminar is arranged in a Q & A format, with questions submitted by wedding vendors.  For a limited time, you can listen to this webinar by clicking here.  I recommend it as time well spent!

A Great Newsletter ... FREE!

Jeffrey Gitomer is a well-known sales trainer and author. I have read his columns for years in the Baltimore Business Journal and recently subscribed to Sales Caffeine, his email newsletter. It's a quick read but always full of valuable information for improving your sales efforts. You can subscribe to this free email newsletter by clicking here.

Speak to the Press? "No Comment"

I was recently interviewed by a reporter writing an article for the Wall Street Journal. When I first got the call, I was excited at the prospects of being quoted in the leading business newspaper in the country. The story was about a retailer that used to be a division of a larger company, but was purchased by an investment group a year ago. The article concerned the changes to this company since the ownership change.

I spent nearly an hour with the reporter and answered his many questions. I gave a very positive review of the company as well as my opinion on a number of changes that have taken place over the year. Imagine my surprise when I saw the article and found a quote attributed to me that was nothing close to what I said in the interview. I had told the reporter that the retailer's recent introduction of some higher-priced merchandise would attract brides who might not shop there otherwise. Somewhere out of that exchange the quote turned into "there are brides who wouldn't be caught dead [shopping at] ..."

I was furious and contacted the reporter immediately. He admitted that he, in his words, "sharpened the quote" to make a better story. I can't believe that a newspaper of the caliber of the Wall Street Journal would condone such journalistic tactics. This blunder might very well cost our company one of its largest clients. My advice to you is that the best answer to give a reporter is "NO COMMENT".

Macy's Bridal Event

Last night, my friends at WeddingWire invited me to attend a great event at Macy's Tysons Corner. The special guests at this event were Darcy Miller, Editorial Director of Martha Stewart Weddings and author of The Bride’s Guide blog, and Wendy Kromer, co-author of Martha Stewart Wedding Cake. The standing room only crowd got to hear great presentations by Darcy and Wendy.

In the picture, you will see Wendy and Darcy in the middle. I'm the one in the gray jacket, and the rest of this fine looking group are members of the WeddingWire team.