If you'll forgive me a moment of sentimentality, I wanted to reflect for a moment as @SearchLove enters a new chapter. It's kind of a hero's journey. A group of ambitious, but naive adventurers set off to run conferences in everything from global megacities (London, NYC), to academic hotspots (literally Harvard medical school), to the big easy (loved NOLA!) to the laid-back vibes of southern CA (pictured). Losing money in NYC, cancelling SF... we thought we'd seen the obstacles and challenges a journey can throw at you. But we didn't know business peril until COVID hit. I'll forever be grateful that Distilled became a part of a bigger group just before that fateful year. We had some tough times as a group, but there's no doubt in my mind that it would have been worse for everyone if we hadn't been together going through that crucible. The "end" (we now know it gets the inverted commas - we didn't at the time) of SearchLove was all business. It didn't fit the priorities at the time and I have no complaints about that. I was privy to most of the behind-the-scenes conversations during COVID, and *that* was not all business. I saw humanity, empathy, and most importantly real action that helped out many people in ways it's not my story to share. Suffice it to say that while business decisions can seem clinical, the best ones are partnered with amazing support and meaningful activity to look after the people involved. I'm sure we didn't get everything right, but I know we got a few things right in ways that I'll always hold on to. As for SearchLove, it was one of the worst businesses to take into mid-2020. We managed one virtual event, but it was a shell of its former self. We did come back - and we had a chance to say goodbye, as we ran what we thought were the final conferences. When the time came to wind it down, I was no longer in charge (again - no complaints - that's what I signed up for!). By that time the team was just @LynsLittle and she was the sole priority. That was the only request I made of @JeffAllenUT - that we look after her as best we could. Joining @kelvinnewman to take @brightonseo international struck me as perfect for both parties. In the hero's journey, I think that makes Jeff and @dangilbert the helpers and Kelvin the mysterious bearded character who shows up and guides our hero through the abyss to the rebirth. Now we're at "transformation" and I can't wait to see what the team will do with the event. When I look back, many of my best memories of Distilled are actually memories of SearchLove so I can't wait to return. Do me proud, team.