Sydney Between Contract Signing and Christmas Cocktail

Sydney – Arriving Between Adventure, Encounter, and Exhaustion

We have arrived in Sydney. In the evening, we first settled into the hotel and met again at 6:30 PM to go to Chinatown together. A part of the group had dinner there – casual, lively, with lots of laughter. It was really fun and very well organized. For me personally, the evening had a small emotional touch: Finally sushi. Just like we know it from home, as we often enjoy it in the family. A classic Friday evening thought that suddenly became very present – even though we are on the other side of the world.

What makes this trip special time and again are the seemingly coincidental encounters. In the first week of the BNI Global Convention, we were able to finalize the first signed contracts. And now, upon my arrival in Sydney, a very meaningful personal encounter arises from this: One of the central figures involved in this contract arrangement also lives here in Sydney. We are meeting in person tomorrow – meeting point 12:30 PM at the Sydney Opera House, a joint lunch, intentionally without business attire. Personal, relaxed, at eye level.

In this context, my partner Dr. Joachim Bender also reached out today. His thought and suggestion was whether I – since I am already here – should seize the opportunity to meet with the potential business partner in Sydney. A completely understandable impulse. In fact, this meeting had already been arranged well in advance at this time. The background: I had been in very close contact with the counterparty since the BNI Global Convention, was able to accompany the entire contract creation process, and was thus very pleased with the successful conclusion. Therefore, the meeting tomorrow is not a coincidence but the logical next step in a developed collaboration.

Our program for tomorrow has real highlights:

A private tour of the Sydney Opera House, and in the evening a high-quality dinner cruise on the water. Sitting together, enjoying, deepening conversations, letting the day come to an end together. In between, there is intentionally space for personal discussions and encounters.

Of course, I have also gained my first genuine impression of Sydney. Yes, it is a big city; you can feel that immediately. Our current hotel is very good. However, compared to the hotel of the first week, there are subtle differences. The previous hotel was exceptionally fantastic – at a level that you consciously remember. The difference is not large but rather subtle: maybe the location, maybe details. You notice it, but it doesn’t bother you at all. The walking distances here are great, Chinatown and Darling Harbour are within walking distance. That’s exactly where I stayed in the first week, and where the conference took place. Everything fits well together.

In the evening, we were still at a bar – actually a cocktail bar. Together with Erik, I treated myself to a Christmas cocktail there. Very sweet, but surprisingly good. Just do it, just try it. It’s these little moments that round out the day.

Now, around 10 PM, it’s time to stop. Exhaustion is clearly noticeable. Today started at 4 AM, Jamie and Rosa from the group even at 3:30 AM. Nobody just shakes that off. And the rhythm remains demanding: Today and tomorrow in Sydney, then it goes on to Port Douglas, in the north of Australia. Getting up again at 4 AM.

Challenging? Yes.

Adventurous? Absolutely.

And in the end, quite clear: Just vacation.