overwhelming client meeting

Yesterday I had a meeting at a client's office, out of town.  Originally there were going to be two of us going to the meeting but the client didn't want to pay for two of us, so I had to go alone. When I walked into the room yesterday morning, alone, there were at least 15 people already there. 3 or 4 more came in and out so I never got the exact count at any given time. These 18 (EIGHTEEN!) or so people were from 5 (FIVE!) different companies.

...And only me to answer questions and such, for 8 (EIGHT!) hours.  (Yes, I want you to be amused, impressed, and sympathetic, all these things).

At the end of the meeting, I had managed to collect only 8 business cards from the following people (I have changed one letter in each name, for googling protection):

• Okimasa Nokanishi, Company A
• Hiraki Mochiki, Company B
• Otsushi Sozuki, Company B
• Haroshi Ochida, Company B
• Shoji Moramoto, Company C
• Alexandro Lora, Company D
• Mashahi Yojima, Company D
• Haroaki Abi, Company E

Three things I hope I never need to know how to do

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/09/16/things.fall.off/