By Tod Barnbrook
In July of this year, myself and my colleague were lucky enough to attend the European College of Sport Science’s (ECSS) 30th Annual Congress in Rimini, Italy, alongside thousands of sports scientists and academics eager to hear about the latest research and upcoming trends. We were representing Human Kinetics, one of Mare Nostrum’s oldest academic publisher clients. We’d organised sharing a stand with the NSCA, a company who have had a long-standing affiliation with Human Kinetics.
There’s your context, so now onto the event itself.
First off, a hotel breakfast. Nothing in the world beats a hotel breakfast, so we made the most of it; multiple coffees, big bowls of yoghurt with fresh fruit, and the meats and cheeses synonymous with a continental start to the day. The temperature was touching mid-30s, so the two mile walk to the conference venue demanded a taxi.
This was day 2 of the conference, so set up of the stand had been completed the day before. However, we still had to set out the books we’d stashed away the night before. Before we’re finished arranging the books into a layout designed to attract attention, someone grabs ours:
“Do you have these books?” We did, but they sold out immediately, sorry!
“These, then?” Again, sold out we’re afraid – but how about these?
There were many conversations like that, ones that reminded us again and again just how popular the books we champion are. Recommendations were made, discount codes offered, and customers referred to our website.
There’s a brief lull. We turn to each other: Another coffee? Another sparkling water? When in Rome (almost).
It’s lunch, and we avoid our mistake of the first day by queuing immediately. Emails are checked whilst lunch is eaten, and the conference hall starts to swell again. People come to the stand, and if we aren’t selling, then we’re talking. Business cards are passed around, books are browsed, and many promises of emails to be sent are made.
It’s been a productive day, but the crowd is beginning to thin. We slowly pack up our books and make our goodbyes. We comment on the fact that everyone has been so nice, and are thankful for it.
It’s hot. Very hot. My colleague tries to convince me to hire an electric bike or scooter. I glare at him, but after the long walk back to the hotel I’m wishing I’d have just said yes. He says he’s going for a 10k run, and asks if I want to join him – I glare at him again.
I shower for the second time that day, already aware that I’ll be showering for a third later – did we mention it was hot in Rimini? I read, and fight the urge to nap. We get dressed and go out to eat, favouring seafood as we’re by the coast. Pasta again? Of course. A well-earned beer? Of course.
We get back to the hotel a bit later than we probably should. Raring to go again tomorrow? Of course!
Want to find out more? Browse all Human Kinetics books here.