Page 52 - Summer 2024 EDM Today

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WHAT ELSE I DIDN’T KNOW
usual on my personal Report Card. (I’ll explain this in a bit
more detail later within “Speaker Sympathy.”)
I also learned that several members of one of our largest
distributors who were in attendance that day, were so
WHAT I DIDN’T KNOW
incensed and upset for me, they literally became “bounty
hunters” for my computer and approached every uni-
At the end of my presentation, after many “thank-you’s,”
formed employee or contractor they could find – ushers,

handshakes and requests for signing my book (more
on this later, also), I received written instructions on a
offering a $200 cash reward (worth almost $400 today)
form from a security guard to report to a Navy Pier
for my computer’s recovery, no questions asked. However
security kiosk where a member of the Chicago PD waiters, janitors, even the security guards. They were
noble their efforts, they were met with universal dumb
would also be present.
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looks, shrugged shoulders and had no takers.
After I helped them complete their questions and re-
Upon learning of their own “behind-the-scenes” efforts
sulting report as best I could, what was explained to me
as fellow “road warriors,” on my behalf, I greatly thanked
was; with the room being locked after Security, the only
them then and now again here. Although they remain
key access to any room was through the backstage side
unnamed, their loyalty and concern shown for me that day
doors or “wings” that connected them all for servicing.
is not forgotten and I remain grateful for this today, (and
This “wing” access was restricted to only Navy Pier’s
you know who you are).
hospitality and janitorial contractors – both necessary to
tidy the room, place pastries and snacks, refill coffee urns,
water pitchers, place pens and tablets, during both breaks
WHAT ELSE I LEARNED
and lunch.
I was told that my computer was likely smuggled out of I am not casting any years-late dispersions on Navy Pier
Security, but I was told by a burly uniformed guard sitting
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the room by one of these contractors in either the large
behind a desk in his kiosk, “This kind of theft is quite
coveralls many wore, or somewhere in their janitor cart.
common at this facility. Unfortunately, your laptop is one
It was then likely stashed into a cubbyhole or hiding place
of an average of about 15 a week that are stolen here.”
somewhere in the labyrinth of the huge facility until it
“Fifteen laptops a week?” I responded, incredulous.
could be casually smuggled out days later in a contrac-
“You’re kidding? That’s an ‘industry’,” I gently countered.
tor’s backpack. Hmm...interesting.
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