USS Hornet
Alameda
April 16, 2008
They've converted the below-deck airplane hangar on the aircraft carrier USS Hornet to a sort of ballroom, and that's where this year's Bay Area Economic Outlook conference was held. I scored a seat at the table, since I helped write the economic outlook report last fall.
I arrived a little before the Governor did, to find the place mobbed with protestors from the local schools, opposing planned budget cuts. Oh no, I thought. How am I going to get through the barricade? I don't have an invitation or anything. I walked up to the police at the line.
"Uh... hi, I'm Dave Sims with McKinsey?"
Welcome, sir, come on in.
Sometimes I forget I'm 45 years old and wearing a navy blazer.
