In Conclusion

My final presentation was today and I felt that it was well received.  I was fortunate to have Alex Assanvo (Global Programs Manager) and Ives DeBusser (manages the ambassador program among other things) from the Mars office here in attendance along with most of the VECO team.  Nothing I presented was new to the VECO team, as we have been discussing much of it for the last 4 weeks, but was more of a summary of my thoughts and recommendations.  This led to a good discussion about not just the marketing campaign for 2015, but about the strategic communications message and priorities for the entire organization moving forward.  All in all, I felt that it went very well and the VECO team thanked me with a lunch time glass of champagne (I really do like Belgium) and a heartfelt farewell.  I was humbled and grateful to have had this experience and have learned as much (or more) from them as they may have learned from me.  

I have met some truly wonderful, amazing, brilliant people and I hope to stay in touch and continue to help in some small way, if I can.  The work being done here across all levels of the food chain is very interesting and relevant for all of us.  (Hopefully, the team will work on one of my recommendations to bring that story more to life on the English version of the web site so you don't have to take my word for it!)  I have invited most everyone here to Nashville, so I may get to return the favor of tour guide extraordinaire and tireless hostess! Thanks to everyone at VECO for making this an amazing experience!

The incomparable Caroline showing me her urban garden in Antwerp :)