Saturday night, in downtown Nashville, Dave Ramsey hosted the company’s annual Christmas party. I’m pretty fortunate to be a part of his team and as a result getting the opportunity to attend this spectacular event every year. It’s kind of funny now because others I know increasingly become less impressed with their own company’s Christmas parties. Dave’s reputation around town for the events he hosts is beginning to rival Oprah’s give-a-way show. Whenever he decides to get his work team together, you can count on one thing…generosity. Here’s our night went:
My wife and I headed downtown to enjoy the reception just prior to the party. The reception itself was more food than I had eaten all day. Anyway, it was cold, rainy, and there was a basketball game at the Somet Center making traffic heavy. We waited at an intersection through several lights just to get onto the street we needed to get on in order to turn into the hotel. Valet parking was covered for us, but we decided we would just go up one block and park ourselves. That way when it was time to go we could make an easy exit. It was worth the cost to pay to park except for what was going to take place at the party.
After the reception, we went into the main hall where Dave introduced his guests which included the FOX Business Network production team of his show. Then we ate again after a brief, comical introduction from two team members who were the cast of Greater Tuna. He announced a few gifts that we were receiving such as a fleece pullover and gift certificate to dinner. After eating, I was miserably stuffed.
For entertainment, one person from each of the 50 tables, went up on stage in groups of 4 to answer some entertaining trivia questions from the company’s history. Turns out each group of 4 got their answers right and if they got them right, they would win a prize. The prizes consisted of Sony Play Stations, Nintendo Wiis, iTouchs, Garmin GPS, digital cameras, Sony dvd camcorders, Best Buy gift certificates, laptops, Xbox 360s, and Insignia 32 inch flat screens. So, the guy at our table one a Nintendo Wii. He and his wife were very excited and we were excited for them, because we have a Wii and we love it.
The night continued, and we sang Christmas carols together and it felt like the night was about to come to an end. Then Dave said they had a few more things to give away. That was when several people walked in pushing carts full of all the prizes that I mentioned above. It turns out that Dave and his leadership team were going to give everyone who was sitting at the tables the very same prize the person who was at our table won earlier that night. So, every couple at our table was taking home a Nintendo Wii.
We were excited, but our first thought was, “I wonder where we are going to sell this since we have one.” Instantly the room of over 400 people turned into the pit at the Stock Exchange. People were making trades left and right. It turns out that the Wii table was a happening spot. I was offered a trade on just about everything that was given away. We just sat back and thought about each deal until one guy tapped me on the back, and asked “Would you want to trade the Wii for our television?”
I looked at my wife and “YES” was clearly spelled out in her eyes. We made the swap. Only now we had to figure out how to get a 32 inch flat panel tv up 2 blocks to our car since we decided not to valet. We ended up driving back to the hotel to pick it up, but nonetheless, it was another unbelievable event that Dave and his planning committee put together. The Lampo Group really is an amazing place to work. When people ask about our parties, they just roll their eyes. It’s great. I’m blessed.
Merry Christmas!
