Can talk. Will travel.

Yesterday, it was so hot that my computer shut off in the middle of my presentation. 

I was in a private park on the outskirts of Mexico City. The crowd was small: about 30 marketers from Pernod Ricard. It was an entire day dedicated to “outside” inspiration, with live presentations and immersive experiences to inspire their team.

The outdoor location was striking, fanciful, and a welcome alternative to any office or hotel conference room. But by the time I got up to speak, just before a luncheon in the garden, everyone had begun wilting in the midday sun.

The audience was arrayed around me in an earthen arena, lounging on the terraced grass, huddled in some tree shade and under umbrellas — but I was fully exposed. I put my computer on the podium, squinted through the glare off my screen, and introduced myself. 

And then, without warning, my computer went black. The metal case was hot to the touch. It had overheated after just a couple minutes in the direct sun.  

The slides were running off another device, and I could still advance the presentation which rose 10 feet tall beside me on a LED screen. 

But I did not have my notes, and this was the first time I had ever given this talk — which was only prepared the day before. 

I felt adrift. I became nervous. Time slowed. 

I heard myself exhale in the microphone, and I had to remind myself to breathe in. 

I think I made a joke about “rolling with it” and then, that’s what I did: I used the content on my slides to prompt me. I tried to recall phrasing from other, better rehearsed talks I had given in the past. At one point, I turned to the crowd and asked them to help elaborate each bullet in a list on the screen! When a video ran without sound, I had to give an impromptu voiceover. 

It was not a very good talk. Disjointed. No natural flow. I breezed over big ideas, and I stalled on single slides. I finished with too much time to spare.

Nobody else seemed to mind. There was good engagement and thoughtful questions. A few people congratulated me and thanked me. 

But I was disappointed. 

I had invested many hours preparing, grateful for a catalyst to capture a few disparate threads that had been tangled in my head. I am passionate about the topic, and I had some important things to say. Only recently did I become receptive to speaking opportunities, and I was especially excited for this one which seemed both extravagant (a trip to Mexico for 2 days!) and relatively low stakes (with a small, friendly audience). Overall, it just felt like a missed opportunity. 

And yet, as I'm writing this, I’m headed home full of gratitude. 

Grateful to Antonio de la Rocha and Pernod Ricard for inviting me, and creating this experience. Glad I had a chance to meet Erin Hersey who helped organize and elevate the event. And humbled to share the “stage” and learn about 3D manufacturing, food upcycling, Mexican craft and AI, from fellow guest speakers Daniel Kurzrock , Nate Kolbeck , Raul Cabra and Howard Gray. 

Although I’ve produced hundreds of talks and performances myself, I’ve only been the talent onstage a half dozen times or so. I’m more confident curating the lineup than headlining... but I’m leaning into that discomfort.

I want more of these speaking opportunities. I need to get more experience. And I want another chance to give this talk that’s ready to go! So, if anyone is interested in hearing how Creativity and Community are best deployed by lifestyle brands (to become durable "Living Brands"), please reach out to my booking agent: adam@i-p.consulting 😉

Or, give me a couple days, and I could pull something together on business purpose and values, marketing and brand strategy, artist and community collaborations, entrepreneurship and mentorship...

I hope to see you in the audience soon.