I was in Columbus back in June. My winningest teammates dropped me off after Spring Nats right on the curb in front of my hotel.

(Great, that’s another out-of-time post I need to make. This means I should also post on Nats Nats—the 2021 Pro Finale and National Championship.)

Where was I? Right: Columbus. Literally. June was the site visit for the conference I’m leaving from now.

What a crazy ride this year has been. It’s at least the fourth conference we’ve worked on for the same client. (We go way back.) In 2020, the decision was clear: Online only.

The yo-yo ride that 2021 has been didn’t allow for that clarity. In June, the optimism was tangible. Masking mandates were going away. Spring and summer were looking bright!

The Delta variant and the vaccine-resistant forced every facet of life to lose ground to the Coronavirus.

A hybrid format offering in-person and online attendance was the path. No one on either team—HALO 22 or the client—had pulled off a combo platter like this before.

Short North is charming. Great food, bars, draft houses, and breweries. Fun food hall a block off High St.

I’d certainly make a point when I’m up this way to hit some new favorites.