It could have been an episode of Seinfeld.
I was in the ladies’ room of the Westin Playa Bonita Hotel… in a stall… when two other ladies struck up a conversation while touching up their make-up.
“So what do you think so far?” one wondered of the other. “Are you getting what you came for?”
I had been about to open the stall door but stopped myself. These were two attendees from the conference I was hosting.
Uh, oh. What might they say that I might not want to hear?
I held my breath for the response.
“Oh, yes!” it came finally. “This is everything I was hoping for and more. This is excellent!”
Phew.
“Yes, I agree,” the first lady concurred. “They’ve already answered so many of my questions and it’s only the first morning. You never know about things like this… you know, when you register online. But I’m so glad I came.”
I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I sure appreciated the unfiltered feedback.
Since that inadvertent ladies’ room encounter, I’ve heard from other attendees at last weekend’s Beachfront Living Event on Panama’s Playa Bonita. Here’s a sampling from emails we’ve received…
“We feel the heart and soul of Lief and Kathleen and that invokes trust. I’m excited about my future. Thank you for helping me take the first steps,” wrote Peggie Rhodes.
“I first attended a LIOS conference in 2010 and gathered a lot of information, which gave me the confidence to buy a house in Boquete. It worked out well for us, and we made a good return on the investment. Fast forward 16 years, and we’re back! What a friendly group. The staff was excellent. The presenters did an excellent job delivering useful information that was immediately actionable. Lief and Kathleen’s children have grown up and are taking an active role in the company. It’s truly a family business,” offered Ron Waslohn.
“I’m at my fourth event. The information, resources, and on-the-ground experts have been invaluable. Having access to local experts has streamlined my relocation journey. Thanks for all your assistance and friendship,” said Debby Benjamin.
Fair to say that last weekend’s Beachfront Living Event was a grand success.
We considered nine countries… from the Pacific to the Caribbean and from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean…
But Panama stole the show.
Maybe it was the view from our conference room windows…
(If you’re wondering, all those ships on the horizon are awaiting their turns for passage through the Panama Canal.)
But, no, it was more than that.
Panama City is hopping. Shops, malls, restaurants, nightclubs, bars, casinos… everywhere is full to capacity. Streets are busy… folks are energized…
Panama City has been a boomtown for two decades, but that boom is surging.
More construction everywhere you look… and the traffic? Well, as my kids might put it, the traffic is epic.
Which is to say that there’s another side to this coin, of course. As I explained to everyone in the room at last weekend’s event, life in Panama City can be loud, hectic, and messy. Not my scene.
That’s why, when we’re in Panama, you’ll find me not in the capital city but way out on the gloriously undiscovered Pacific Veraguas coast at Los Islotes.
Los Islotes is where I spend my time.
But my money? My money’s on Panama City.
My favorite thing about any event we host is the chance it gives me to introduce readers to the world’s best places to spend both time and money.
Often, those folks are discovering these places for the first time.
Most in the room with us for our Beachfront Living Event had never been to Panama before… and a few took the opportunity to extend their trips to make time for a quick visit to our Veraguas coast…
Where, this week, Lief and I hosted a small group at Los Islotes…
Three days of conference followed by a full-day Elite Property Tour of Panama City followed by three days of touring at Los Islotes?
Lief and I are pooped. I’m headed to the beach…
Until next time,
