Sparks were flying at the Loan Syndications and Trading Association's Introduction to the Loan Market Documents & Market Practices Conference Feb. 16. As Mike Kerrigan from Hunton & Williams spoke during the afternoon session, smoke started to fill the room occupied by about 250 conference attendees. Apparently on the floor above the conference, a cart with a sterno pushed too close to the wall set the wall on fire leading to a chain of events never before seen at an LSTA conference. While the hotel took its time making an announcement, Alicia Sansone, senior v.p. of communications, marketing and education at the LSTA, told Kerrigan he was "burning down the house" and suggested everyone relocate. "I was thinking 'I'm responsible for 250-260 people I'm not going to screw around!'" she said. Four fire trucks and 45 minutes later, the conference continued at a condensed speed and the remaining three panels finished up.
