With mounting daily pressures because of unending e-mails, telephone calls, appointments, corporate meetings, scheduled site visits, contracts to finalize, etc., our prioritized work list seems to get set aside. Promises and deadlines seem elusive. In the midst of this hectic mix, we subconsciously search for the comfort zone that will bring assurance and hope that all can indeed be accomplished.

If this sounds like something to which you can relate, let me encourage you to remember the comfort zone of lasting friendships and business colleagues who understand. The past 30-plus years of planning meetings and scheduled functions have served as an opportunity for me to form long-lasting friendships and relationships. Subsequently, when considering new venues, negotiations are often with business colleagues who are also friends who understand my organization's needs and objectives.

RCMA is the primary facilitator of such associations and friendships. Although developing friendships with other professionals may be a byproduct of the entire meeting-planning process, this should not be minimized. When the process of bringing all the ingredients of a successful meeting to fruition becomes awkward or difficult, negotiating with someone who understands certainly streamlines the effort.

I encourage you to use the multiple RCMA functions that are available to you in finding your own comfort zone. The Web site, www.rcmaweb.org, provides a wealth of information at your finger tips. The scheduled publications, annual meeting, and numerous accessible features are there for your benefit. Please take advantage of them to assist you in present and future meeting planning.