I've lost count of the number of conferences I've attended over the years, most of them in the U.S. but some abroad. However, all of these conference hosts could learn something from the Italians, particularly our hosts at the Istituto Bruno Leoni. For all you conference planners out there, here's a proposed plan:

Begin the conference with industrial-strength coffee, the kind that my dad would say will "put hair on your chest." Serve a 3-course lunch complete with chocolate mousse that is so rich that you wonder how you can take another bite, but of course you do. End the lunch, at which fine wine was served, with magnificent espresso. Have an afternoon break complete with a return of that industrial-strength coffee, then conclude the conference with an outdoor reception featuring champagne. Bene!