So what do event planners need to understand about working with vendors in countries where maybe rules, expectations and even relationships are totally different?

Yeah, I think that is very important to lean on your subject matter experts.

If you have not done a contract in that country and you don't know the vendors, it's very imperative that you utilize your in-country network that can give you some inside knowledge on the vendor, but also can help you navigate some of the contracting regulations for that country as to make sure you're kind of in compliance there.

And it's also important to make sure that you have someone that can help you understand whatever contract that you do draw up.

For me, fortunately for me, when I was a contracting officer, I also have procurement agents that were in my section working for me.

So they knew the ins and outs.

They also knew a lot of the vendors that were in that country as well.

What is your advice for someone who wants to pursue work in government and public sector events with something that can kind of be in both both sectors?

How are you holding the line with your parents when it's time to make those tough calls while still maintaining a level of respect for them and protecting their dignity?

Oh, my goodness.

If I'm going to be frank and honest, man, I'm barely holding the line by a thread, like a shoestring at this point.

Man, those parents, they don't listen.

Yeah.

It's so fascinating, so interesting, right? You would think that you would have so many different experiences professionally that will help you personally, but then you realize that sometimes even talking to individuals that have known you the longest and are familiar with you, like it is the most challenging and most difficult conversations you're having because it's not only just the facts, it's also the matters of the heart.

And so, you know, as I'm also like, I am dealing with the health crisis and I'm dealing with the financial crisis.

And I guess I'm wondering, what do you want people to understand about the invisible weight that you're carrying? And not just people, but what can employers understand or do even to support people like you who are carrying this invisible weight?