Lunch with a Legend

yesterday I was fortunate enough to be a guest at a luncheon that featured Arnold Palmer. Representing Marriott I was one of about 100 of the cities most influential people gathered at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando to network and enjoy a lunch with Arnie himself.

the experience was so wonderful that I wanted to share it with the world.

the ballroom was set and the curtains opened up overlooking the Bay Hill practice tee. As we inched closer to the start of the lunch and people made their way to the tables where they were to have lunch, you could see Arnie approaching - walking across the putting green in his tan pans, blue Bay Hill golf shirt, navy jacket and while golf shoes. yes he was coming to the luncheon in his golf shoes. these shoes had spikes. the lunch begin and they covered his illustrious career on and off the course. when he was finally introduced he got up on stage and sat in his chair to have the conversation with the audience. he opened by saying that he had to make it quick, because he was teeing off at 1pm. It was 12:15pm when he said those words. one of the first questions that was asked, Why Orlando? consider it was an Orlando Economic development commission luncheon it only made sense. Why Orlando....his response, because I wanted a place where I could show up to events like this in my golf spikes and no socks. sure as we are home to Mickey, he wasn't wearing socks. A legend this man is.

He went on to talk about his relationship with his long time attorney Mark McCormack. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_McCormack thru a story that he tells so well. He was a young up and coming golfer with lots of celebrity and endorsement potential, when it become obvious that he would need an attorney to represent him Mark approached him. Arnie simply said, I will let you represent me, but you will ONLY represent me. You must drop the others. After a day or so to think about it, Mark returned to Arnie with a contract. he said, Arnie I have decided to only represent you....and here in this contract it outlines our exclusivity to each other. Arnie says he looked at Mark and said, i am not signing any contracts. he said, all I need is you to look me in the eye give me a handshake and do what you say you are going to do and I am fine with it all. Mark said, but Arnie that isn't good business. Arnie said lets try it.....and they did, and it lasted 40 years until his recent death. As Arnie said, it worked pretty good.

This made me think - because so recently in my business and my job I have been so dilgent and focused on agreements, what is on paper that I had losts sight of this very important characteristic. Trust honsesty and a good will of a mans word....

We are in the hospitality business, a business where in the early years agreements did not exists, if Marriott told you it was going to happen, it did....In 2009, how times have changed and Arnies lesson was so perfect as there is a need for balance in everything we do.

He continued to talk about his life and his passion for children and their health and well being. He talked about his involvement in the Arnold and Winnie Palmer childrens hospitals based right here in Orlando....how forunate are we to have Arnie call Orlando home.

As he was speaking a cell phone rang from somewhere near him....but he did not hesitate, just reached into his pocket, noticed who it was and told the audience that he would call his daughter back later- the intruption brought back a memory which he shared- a time when he was speaking to a group like this one that day and a phone rang in the audience. as he made a snide remark about the rude interruption he noticed it was his phone- he said he felt like he was standing on stage with his (as he begin to say pants, he realized that was not gentlemenly like in front of the ladies in the audience) he stopped himself and rather said, I felt like I got caught with my socks off...raising his leg in the air showing off the fact he did not have socks on as he earlier commented. It was real, he is real and wow what an opportunity to be in the same room with the legend.

As he finished up about 10 till 1pm.....he got up from his seat the room gave him a standing applause and he walked out of the ballroom door, onto the practice green. As Meg Crofton, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meg_Crofton president of Walt Disney world said her words to the group, in the back ground for the audience to see, was Arnie hoping in his golf cart and off to tee #1 for his 1pm. Something else...what a day.

Thank you Marriott for giving me the opportunity to represent and share this special day with a legend.

bb