Academy of Marketing Science Doctoral Consortium at the University of Colorado at Denver

It has been suggested to me by several people that I keep a blog of my travels.  So, that is what this endeavor is all about. (The BGSU College of Business has published it in an October newsletter.)

My sabbatical unofficially started in Denver.  I was invited by Sharon Beatty and Linda Price to be part of the faculty for the first Academy of Marketing Science Doctoral Consortium at the University of Colorado at Denver, on May 14-16.  My presentation was entitled, "Setting Research Priorities: Being Synergistic and Opportunistic." About 30 Ph.D. students from around the U.S. (and a few from abroad) received advice and insights from faculty from such places as U of Washington, Texas A&M U, U of Alabama, U of Texas, U of  Georgia, Florida State U, U of Florida, Boston College, and U of Arizona.

Where's Waldo (er, Dwayne)?

While in Denver I stumbled across an interesting business concept, called "Canvas and Cocktails."  The place looked so inviting from the outside, and so busy on a Saturday night, that I had to stop in to see what it was about.  I found about 65 people learning to paint...the focus that night was on learning how to paint Van Gogh's "Starry Night" painting.  So, at 8:00 p.m. on a Saturday night these people paid $35 each to spend two hours painting and drinking their favorite beverage (wine, beer, sangria, or whatever).  They looked liked they were having a BLAST!

One artist's work.  Perhaps he had too much wine?

Afterwards, I visited some old friends (i.e.,  friends I have know a long time) in the Denver area.

Dwayne, Amy & Mike Nappa, and Winnie & Norm Wakefield

When I was on sabbatical in 2007-2008, I had a chance to develop a new hobby...taking pictures of steps.  I love the symbolism in steps...going up them is a challenge...some are easy to climb, some are very difficult...some are short journeys, some are long...sometimes there is a great view at the top, and sometimes there is not...sometimes getting to the top simply reveals that there are more steps to climb.  So, with my trip to Denver, Randy Duzan took me on a trip to look for steps.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Colorado