After the opening session, I spent most of the rest of the morning on the show floor, which was gratifyingly full of people. Pretty much all the exhibitors I spoke with were happy with the traffic so far, which is always a good sign.

In the afternoon I went to the Bloggercon session, which was moved from the “outdoor amphitheater” (aka staircase on the terrace) to a shady spot nearby. I thought the discussion went pretty well, considering those in attendance ranged in experience from lots to none at all. There are a lot more social networking-related sessions at this show, so if anyone missed this one, or the other related sessions today (including the “secret session” that happened at the end of the day that I’m not entirely sure was sanctioned by ASAE), there’s lots more to come.

One downside of my fabulous new room is that, by the time I got my stuff out of hock and up to the 14th floor, I missed the bus to my evening event. So here I sit, in the suite of luxury, contemplating room service as I tap away on my balcony under a full moon, looking out over the city. Life is sweet.

Today’s opening session at ASAE’s annual meeting centered on diversity, with a panel of experts moderated by Cokie and Steve Roberts. Since the lights were down, what I thought were thorough notes are more like a cross between ancient runes and the work of a demented chicken, but here are a few of the money quotes:

Thomas Dolan, Ph.D., FACHE, CAE, President and Chief Executive Officer, American College of Healthcare Executives: People have one thing in common–they’re all different.

Steve Roberts: I always thought the real mixed marriage was between a man and a woman.

Patti Digh: I have yet to go into an association where the leadership isn’t white males sitting around asking, “what should we do about diversity?” We need to ask who else needs to be at the table. (Patti highly suggested people read “White Privilege, Unpacking the Invisible Backpack,” by Peggy McIntosh.)

[Blogger’s aside: Patti’s new book, Life Is a Verb, is now on sale. Buy it and you will not regret it, I promise. I’m eagerly awaiting my copy.]

Doug Klein with the Association of Conflict Resolution: As good is the enemy of great, tokenism is the enemy of inclusion.

Cokie Roberts: Men mean to; women do.

Steve Hanamura, Hanamura Consulting: When I get into an elevator with my friend who is black and six feet tall, the white women don’t know whether to clutch their purses or hold the door (ok, for this to be funny you have to know that Hanamura is blind–differently sighted? I don’t know what the correct term is these days.)

Doug Klein again, when asked what final words of advice he had: Just try. If what you’re doing isn’t working, do something else. But try.

Patti Digh again, same question: Remember that diversity is not a problem to be fixed.

Posts from others who wrote a lot more interesting things than I did on the opening session:
Honest words about diversity, for a change
Diversity (I love it when ACerS says this, “I had images of someone back at ASAE & The Center frantically trying to wrestle up a gay Asian American who uses a wheelchair.” I had those thoughts, too).
Change the structure of the land (if you read one thing today, read this)

I’m here in beautiful San Diego for the ASAE and the Center’s annual conference, and so far things are, well, interesting. The biggest thing for me so far happened after I arrived last night at the lovely Courtyard by Marriott in the downtown area. It really is a lovely hotel, located in the former San Diego Trust and Savings Bank. Unfortunately, the guy who arrived just before me got the last room at the inn and they had to walk me.

To La Jolla, which is I gather some 15-20 miles from where I wanted to be. They were so apologetic and nice, and bought me a nice glass of wine and an appetizer while I was waiting for them to find me a spot to sleep, so I couldn’t get too mad, really.

Oh well, so I went off and spent a scant seven hours or so at the Residence Inn there, then cabbed it back here in time to stash my bags and hop over to the convention center for the opening session today. They didn’t have a room ready for me yet at the Courtyard, but the guest service manager, Brandon Avants, was again very apologetic, and promised to upgrade me when a room became available.

Boy did they upgrade me! All the way to the presidential suite, which is gorgeous, and huge, and has a balcony with a view to die for. I think I’m spending the night on the lounge chair out there, I swear. This really was way over the top in terms of making amends, but I have to say that they turned a not-so-great situation into something pretty cool. Thanks, Courtyard by Marriott, for the great digs, the great service, and surprising and delighting this tired journalist after a long day of conventioneering.

Party in my room tomorrow! Seriously, this place is too nice not to share.

P.S. What is it with me and getting walked? This is the second trip in a row this happened (the other being for ECEF in D.C. earlier this summer). And there were chihuahuas both times, now that I think of it (last time behind the desk at my bumped-to hotel, this time under the seat of the guy next to me on the flight).

I forgot to mention that I learned today where Susan Sarfati, who recently announced she was leaving her post as executive vice president of the American Society of Association Executives and president and chief executive officer of the Center for Association Leadership, is landing.

According to a release, she’s joining the American Program Bureau as executive vice president to “further expand the scope, influence, and success of the global speakers bureau.” I’m not sure exactly how, but the release also says she will use her position to further social responsibility and sustainability, among other goals. My colleague and I will be speaking with her tomorrow, and hopefully will learn more about how this fits with her career goals.

Somehow, it isn’t where I thought she would land. Totally selfishly, I was hoping she would stay within one of our industry associations, where she has already done such an incredible amount of good (and made ASAE’s meetings a whole lot better, IMHO).

Here’s a post about Sarfati’s send-off party on Saturday night.