Just what this industry needs, another banking convention

by Art Gillis

I haven't been to a banking convention in so many years that the homeless guys, on my way to the office, are complaining. "I need more T shirts." "Any more hats, the sun's burnin' me up?" It looks like I'm going to have to go shopping to clothe my "friends" but where am I going to find tight polyester T-shirts and stupid hats? Orlando and Las Vegas are the obvious answers, and right after a banking convention.

Except as a reason for low-level bank employees to get out of town, I can't imagine why any respectable professional would find him/herself in an arena where speakers pontificate their wisdom that works well only at a podium, vendors exaggerate their greatness knowing it's not on a contract, and bank employees lie through their teeth about their procurement plans. At the end of three days, everyone goes back to work, and all is forgotten. Until next year.