ARTICLE
SHINY HAPPY PEOPLE BY CARRIE MCCONKEY, M.S.
I
was standing at Door 2 in the shuttle area of O’Hare International Airport in Chicago and waiting for a ride to the Loews Hotel for my first AICI Global Conference. As I scanned the area expectantly, a beautiful woman approached and appeared to be waiting for the same ride. She was tanned, with carefree but still-perfect hair that had a sunkissed glow. A quick scan of her outfit piqued my curiosity, as I noticed she wasn’t afraid to mix patterns and had a unique style aesthetic. Wait a minute...Could she? I shyly approached her and asked, “Are you here for the AICI Conference?” Before I could blink she was hugging me, offering pecks on both cheeks, and attempting to speak in limited but heartfelt English. Her name was Lorena Zilio from Argentina, and yes, she was here for the conference. Little did I know that my special experience with Lorena would be repeated dozens of times over the six days I lived at the Loews. During the conference I stopped a moment to reflect on the optimistic attitudes radiating from the meeting attendees. Just what was happening? The positive energy was palpable...the atmosphere supportive, sharing, open, engaged, professional. Every person
24 | July 2019 magazine
treated me as if she or he had known me their entire lives, and never wanted to lose touch. I came to realize these image consulting professionals were practicing what they preached—their appearance, behavior, and communication were the ideal. Let’s take a look at the ABCs of Image that were so capably demonstrated at the conference, resulting in an unforgettable experience for all. APPEARANCE: SHE’S GOT THE LOOK It goes without saying that AICI members know how to dress. Curated details could be found at every turn through uniquely shaped eyeglasses, edgy hairstyles, and clothing saturated with glorious color. Compliments flowed, but with a learning component behind them as the men and women shared information on where they purchased the pieces and how they styled them. There was a moment where I stood in an elevator filled with conference participants and enjoyed the view. Everyone looked their best, but in a perfectly balanced manner. Not too much, not too little, never bland, and always professional.