Several years ago, I had the opportunity to hear Doug Lipp speak at and close an event that I was running. A closing keynote is always a pretty tough spot as attendees are anxious to get going. They've been learning and networking for 2-3 days and those emails and calls that have been on hold are becoming a little more frantic.

Doug was excellent. Not only did he have everyone's complete attention throughout the session, but he also had everyone on their feet at the end. It was, and still is, one of the best closing keynotes that I have ever seen at an event. Personally, several of Doug's life lessons resonate with me to this day.

An interesting thing about being in the world of service and customer management is that excellent service typically leads to a happy customer waiting for the opportunity to work with you again. I was happy after Doug's session, and I continued to look for opportunities to work with Doug again.

Well, it is a small world, as my work has found me leading another customer-service focused event. This time, its The Service Council's 5th Smarter Services Symposium, taking place in Chicago this September (12-14 at the Swissotel - Homepage, Agenda, Register). And guess what? Doug Lipp is speaking, this time as the opening keynote. The title of his session is "Its a Small, Small World: The Globe is Shrinking. Is Your Business Expanding?". Doug's presentation will touch on supporting a globally diverse set of customers with a globally diverse set of employees.

Here's a brief introduction from Doug himself:

I can't wait. See you in 4 weeks in Chicago.