OK, there doesn't seem to be a thread specific to tonight's event, so I will post here. Mods, feel free to split this off.
The event was held out back in the outdoor (but covered) "beer garden". I bit warm, but hey, the beer was free.
Event opens about 5-10 minutes late. Not sure why, as it looked like everyone was there.
The first person up is the, well, I'm not sure what she is. Not the MC, but it is her job to introduce the panel. Her name was Sherry (something). And I must say, she was an absolute, total, complete waste of time. That is 20 minutes of my life I will never get back. For those who have never been to a panel discussion like this, you are supposed to introduce each panel member, and give a
brief list of their accomplishments, and more importantly, which of their accomplishments qualify them to be on the panel. Well, Sherry had no problem with that, except she was more interested in telling us how well
she knew the panelist, and how long
she had known them, and to relate any anecdotes that involved the panelist and, of course, Sherry.
It went something like this:
Sherry: Our first panelist is Pat Shannon.
I have know Pat for several years. And of course,
I grew up listening to her dad on the radio. Pat and
I first met when
I worked on a project with her for X, and then
I went on to serve on (some) board with her.
I remember the first time
I walked into the new Shannon's with Pat and
I noticed how there were still wires hanging out of the wall, and
I said to Pat.... She blathered on, and on, and on, and on about herself and how "
I" know each and every one of them. It took 20 minutes to introduce 5 people. I wanted to chew my fingers off. Seriously, I thought about leaving.
Anyhow, we finally get to the panel. McGraw Millhaven of KMOX(?) takes over. He's a good MC, and kept the evening rolling. Asked good (pre-rehearsed) questions.
Kevin McGowan could have been up there all by himself. An impressive guy. At one point he mentioned that MW would have a "major" announcement later in the Summer. The MW Tower perhaps? He also talked about Wall Street getting into the game, and how that was good for the area - it means they think this whole thing isn't a passing fad. Said something about them financing 85% of a $600 million upcoming project. Again, perhaps the tower?
Pat Shannon and a black guy (Chuck?) had the business owners perspective. (Black guy) sounds like he owns some sort of Kitchen Supply store? If so, I'll be visiting when I move down there.
Jim Cloan from Downtown STL had some good input. A lady from Nestle-Purina (Betty? It was hard to hear sometimes), didn't have a whole lot to say, but she was OK.
A few questions from the audience followed. None were terribly interesting. Someone asked about the Bottle District. Jim said that McGuire had assembled about 16 acres, and had the "developer from NC" lined up, and he felt it would be really good for that area, since it is sort of cut off from the rest of downtown by the dome and I-70.
Kevin McGowan, as might be expected, is a BIG supporter of the downtown renaissance. He says we are only this far (holds fingers about 1/2 inch apart) along on the journey.
Show lasts about 1 hour, and when McGraw says "OK, let me re-introduce Sherry for some closing comments", I said "OK, that's my cue, exit stage left". So I have no idea what she said to close, but I'm sure it was about her.
I'll try to think of more...
ETA: Oh, and at one point Sherry had to tell us how she had tried to make the "Top 30 people under 30" or something like that. But I guess she failed, so now she was working on the "Top 40 under 40". Gee Sherry, will you call me when it happens? I don't think I'll be able to go on without knowing. Whatever....
