Kilted at a professional meeting

[Geoff Withnell]

I am a Senior Member of the American Society for Quality, a world-wide organization of quality professionals. We are having our World Congress in Minneapolis this week and I am fortunate enough to be able to attend. It did present me with the issue, attend kilted or not? I wear a kilt just about all the time I am not at work. As a consultant, I really can't work kilted, because I am constantly dealing with new clients, and my dealings have to be about the message, not my clothes. But at the congress, I would be dealing with my colleagues, not clients, so I decided to go kilted.

I am very active in the society, so I was here in Minneapolis Sunday for various committee meetings. Monday was the formal opening ceremony, keynote speech, and the start of a myriad of classes, demonstrations of products, meeting people that I have worked with through the internet but never seen, etc. Great fun. And the nice thing is, while there were a few comments/questions at first (all positive!), at this point the attitude has settle down to "Oh, guy in kilt. Well, it IS an international meeting" and everybody is going about their business.

Not to brag too much, but I like to think I have brought a large group of professionals to the point of thinking of kilts as another reasonable choice in male attire.

By the way, I know if there are no pics it didn't happen. A friend has taken several and is emailing me copies, which I will post.

Geoff Withnell

[Chas]

Hi Geoff,

Well done. I think it is a question of attitude and gravitas. If a man has the right attitude when kilted then there will be NO problems. Added to this, you obviously have the gravitas to project a professional image. I would have been surprised if you reported that the event did not go well. Here's to many more successful events.

Regards

Chas

[JolyStNicholas]

Well done Sir, well done. I would expect nothing less from you. I am glad you decided to go kilted and it went so well.You have my best regards!

[attworth]

Good on ya! It's always nice to hear things like this. The kilt becoming more acceptable to the ignorant (that's in no way an insult,) is definitely something to be happy about.

Looking forward to some pictures.

[David Thornton]

I was inducted Thursday as president of our professional association, and there were no remarks, no questions, nothing. I find professional groups have no problem with the kilt.

David

[Tartan Shortbread Jock]

I think folk look up to you when you have a kilt on, they will always remember
you.
Great show Geoff, keep it up.

[Dr Mac]

Well done, sir. You're an encouragement to us all.

[ForresterModern]

Well done Geoff!

I did the same this time last year when I made a formal presentation at my professional international society meeting kilted, but then I had the advantage of being in Edinburgh at the time, so no one really questioned my motives, and the time and place were right. I was kilted for the whole meeting plus a couple layover vacation days (9 straight days), and recieved rave reviews from all who commented.

I agree that other times are not appropriate as the dress distracts from the importance of the message you are trying to impart, but if in your situation it made no difference, I am glad you decided to do it kilted. More power to ya'! (Even if you do spell your name funny.)

Jeff

[tulloch]

Bravo! Glad to hear of the positive experiences. Keep it up.

[Jack Daw]

Nicely done!