Had a really great time in Lake Placid last week for the SUNY CUAD conference. As the Web track chair, I should note we put together a pretty darn good program, though I cover details of who said what (and did it well) in
the other blog.
I pulled into Lake Placid on Tuesday, a day early, using up a hard-to-burn vacation day. Had no reservations secured yet, so I pulled into the parking lot of one hotel at the end of the Main Street strip and started surfing Web sites for the hotels on that end of town on the iPhone.
The Northwoods Inn won because I could actually find info -- including the all-important price -- easily, while others tried to send me through all manners of maze. Is Web usability good for business? My experience says yes.
Did I mention the Northwoods also had a kitchenette with a second TV?
And an outstanding view of Mirror Lake and downtown Lake Placid? Including this fabulous dusk scene.
Though the
High Peaks Resort, where the conference took place, was absolutely amazing. The rooms, the service and -- of course -- the view.
I should note that I got to know the marketing guy for the High Peaks Resort, a very friendly and most helpful gentleman named Bill, through his Twitter handle of @HighPeaksResort before the conference. Through a series of connections, this led to the hotel hosting a very well attended Tweetup on Wednesday. Since I'm all about inclusion, one needed not be on Twitter to participate. You just had to be interested in having a good time.
The time, it just flew, and a mighty good time was had. Before I knew it, Friday loomed, the conference ended and we were on the road again. But I decided to take a side trip to the village of Boonville to visit the regionally (at least) famed
Mercer's Dairy. In addition to serving up excellent ice cream, it's known for its specialty wine ice cream. The only time I've ever been proofed while purchasing a dairy treat. Yum! And did I mention I was introduced to this confection via a friend (and former Boonvillian) on Twitter?
On a daily basis, I preach the importance of using the Web well, including social media. So it wasn't a surprise that the Web and some Twitter connections helped me make some decisions in where I stayed, what I did, what I consumed. In short, it's foolish to ignore the impact of the Web, in any of its forms, upon our daily lives.
Comments (4)
Let me know if you need an admin with you on your trips. I'm cheap.
Looks like a lot of fun and those pics of the lake are beautiful.
I know what you mean about the importance of the web but Twitter I still just don't get. I tried for a while to get into it and just felt like I wasn't get any interaction there and nothing was pulling in. All those one liners, often seemingly unconnected, just confused me. I feel like an old lady even saying this. So if you have any advice on why I'm not getting it . . . I would welcome it.
Great pic's, tim! mirror lake is beautiful. that northern scenery is always a draw for me. i miss it. sounds like a great time! genius move on the dairy pitstop... was the wine ice cream any good? i'm intrigued. i bought two bottles of wine and a 12-pack of corona at the store today and the kid did NOT card me... i was like, come on, bro! ask for my ID! hahahahahaha
certain destinations for sure!