RCGA Trip

Does all travel broaden the mind, or — as Elizabeth Drew observed — does some travel merely lengthen the conversations?

I have spent the last several days in Atlanta as part of the Regional Chamber and Growth Association’s annual study visit to another US city. I’ve been on eight or so of these trips in past, including last year’s in which the group toured St. Louis. As usual, Dick Fleming and his staff put together a vigorous and professional program for the 80 or so people who made the trip. Our Atlanta hosts were gracious and informative.

However, I’ve begun to notice two things: that most cities address the same seemingly intractable problems the same way; and that only half the regional St. Louisans making these trips have much of a grasp what’s already going on back home.

I will be thinking about these things before planning begins for next’s year’s RCGA trip.