Another conference, another lapel stick for the collection. This time, the destination was Paris, and the topic was right up my alley: the role of AI in revolutionizing logistics. As one of the keynote speakers, the pressure was on, and I’ll admit, my ongoing struggle to quit smoking didn’t make it any easier. Public speaking and nicotine withdrawal are not a winning combination. Thankfully, Sarah was with me, offering her usual brand of calm support combined with a beady eye on my pursuit of tobacco.
We checked into a posh hotel in the 8th arrondissement, the kind of place where the concierge greets you by name and the bathroom is nicer than most apartments I’ve lived in. The conference spanned three days, held in a sleek modern venue overlooking the Seine. Each day was packed with talks, panels, and networking—a whirlwind of handshakes, business cards, bullshit and, of course, another name badge to add to my ever-growing collection.
The Conference
As a keynote speaker, I kicked off the second day with a talk on how AI is transforming supply chains. The room was packed, and the questions after my talk were sharp and engaging. It’s always a thrill to discuss something I’m passionate about, even if the effort of staying composed was a constant battle against the familiar itch for a cigarette.
Each break between sessions was a minefield of temptation, as clusters of attendees gathered outside, puffing away. Sarah, ever the voice of reason, kept me distracted with witty commentary about their fashion choices—a surprisingly effective strategy. Miaow.
Dining in Paris
The evenings were a welcome contrast to the pressure of the conference.
Paris is a city that takes dining seriously, and we made it our mission to enjoy every bite. On the first night, we found a cozy bistro tucked away in Le Marais, where we savored duck confit and a bottle of Bordeaux. Over dinner, we couldn’t help but discuss the kids. Emma, just a train ride away in her Parisian university bubble, was too busy with finals to join us. Max, deep in his AI research in Zurich, had sent us a proud update about a paper he’d co-authored. And Lily, always the artist, had sent a photo of her latest watercolor—a charming, if slightly abstract, depiction of the Oxford skyline.
The second night brought us to a Michelin-starred spot near the Eiffel Tower, where the tasting menu was as pretentious as it was delicious. And expensive. Between courses of tiny, artfully plated dishes of je ne sais quite quoi, the conversation turned to our dream purchase in Ibiza. Sarah, ever the planner, had been refining our list of must-haves: proximity to a good marina (for the boat we’re definitely buying), a view of the sea, and enough space for the kids to bring their friends. it’s a tentative discussion at the moment but it will happen. It took my mind of smoking for a while and whilst we strolled back to the hotel, the waft Gitanes was almost too much to bear.
Sightseeing and Reflections
With the conference wrapped up, we spent our final afternoon playing tourists. A stroll along the Seine, a quick visit to the Louvre (because how can you not?), and a leisurely coffee at a sidewalk café rounded out our Parisian escape.
As we sat people-watching, I reflected on the past few days. The conference had been a success, both professionally and personally. I’d navigated the stress without giving in to old habits, and Sarah’s companionship had turned what could have been a draining trip into something genuinely quite enjoyable.
By the time we boarded our flight back to Frankfurt at Charles de Gaulle, I felt a sense of accomplishment. Another lapel stick, another story, and, most importantly, another step in my journey to kick tobacco for good!?