Last week, I received e-mail two invitations to the same conference.
Why?
Here’s part of the introducton to the first invitation, with the identifying information removed:
As a VIP, the cost of your airfare, hotel accommodations and conference registration will be paid for by (removed).
The [organizers have] identified you as a senior level marketer or agency executive decision maker within your company. You are among a select few to whom we are extending this special VIP opportunity.
The price of freedom (or, rather, a free conference)? My mandatory attendance at breakfasts hosted by the sponsor.
Here’s the introduction to the second invitation:
We apologize if you received an email…earlier today inviting you as our VIP guest to the (removed). That email was intended to be sent to a list of 50 (removed) marketers in the industry, that have already agreed to attend the event. The email below is the email that you were intended to receive. If you would like to be a part of (removed) please read below about the (removed) and how to register. Again we apologize for the confusion and inconvenience that error may have caused you.
I didn’t understand how I made the VIP list in the first place. The answer? I didn’t. I’m hardly offended, but I was amused. It’s not only Santa that needs to check his list twice.
This incident reminds me of the real-estate solicitations I used to see back in the 1980s. Attend a weekend sales pitch, and get a free television (or other medium value gee-gaw) for your trouble, no purchase required. Just pay with your time, your sweet, sweet time. Even then, I had an inkling of the value of time. Now I know much better.