In October of 1994, Wonderware rented the Doubletree Hotel in Anaheim for a Distributor's conference. After the conference, nearly 700 Wonderware distributors and their guests boarded buses to a secret location. They were going to a party and the host did not want anyone leaving the gala early with their own transportation. They were going to a memorable party - and the location turned out to be the Santa Monica airport museum. Even the bus ride was merry with mystery and excitement - after all - this was a Wonderware party! The guest disembarked and entered the huge dining hall to a generous buffet and no-host bar.
The extravaganza was just beginning. There was a buzz, growing louder, and then the roar of a helicopter arriving near the entrance. Out of the chopper stepped Alan Shepard - the first American in space. The buzz had become a roar and then a nonstop chant! You could not contain the excitement, managing the guests was another matter.
Uber-salesman Jerry Brooks introduced the Alan Shepard. Jerry Brooks spoke as if he was the coolest sales Vice-President on the planet and he was introducing his boyhood idol, who was the one man in the room who had actually left the planet on two occasions, once in orbit and once on the moon. (For the record, Jerry Brooks had every reason to be the coolest Vice-President on the planet, he was in the 4th year of driving 50% growth in sales for Wonderware).
Mr. Shepard gave a memorable speech, with self deprecating humor and narrated a thoughtful history of the Apollo program, in which he himself played a crucial role. He challenged the crowd during his speech to put Wonderware on the moon, and why the hell not? Many in the audience were at an age when the Apollo space program was a pivotal childhood memory. He even invited Jerry and his wife Roxanne to join him in Pebble Beach for a round of golf when their schedules could be arranged. Tragically, Mr. Shepard became ill soon after and died only four years later.
After Mr. Shepard's speech, the crowd could not have been more sure that this was going to be one of the most memorable evenings in their lives when suddenly, an even greater buzz surged through the audience. The elegant roar of a Lear jet got closer. An announcer focused their attention once again towards the entrance.
This time a Lear Jet arrived and pulled up to the entrance. Then the room exploded once again with excitement. Out from the Lear Jet came the Pointer Sisters who belt out a spectacular song and dance set performed at the height of their powers. They were not yet a nostalgia act - they were superstars!
Sitting in the front row was the man who planned and paid for the evening, Dennis Morin. He was throwing a spectacular party for the customers and employees who rocketed his company to 50% annual growth for the past 5 years. He was proud, he was emotional, and hosted the party with the energy of a lion.
From David Smith, Wonderware's Marketing VP: "At the end of the evening, they ran out of booze. Even Mr. Shepard, who had asked for a glass of wine after a long day, had to be told there was nothing left. He was gracious about it as Wonderware executives scrambled to find him a glass of something without success."
This was 1994 and the party would continue to the next year when there were new beginnings - and departures of key figures.
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