BIGGIE-SIZED MEETING

There was a seismic shift last week that went virtually unnoticed. In all the huffing and puffing about Qwest's Joe Nacchio getting a fat raise and a big bonus for leading a company that is canning thousands, everyone overlooked the venue change of Qwest's annual meeting. Instead of holding it in Denver, Minneapolis or even Phoenix (all served by Qwest's local access company), Nacchio will face shareholders in Dublin, Ohio. (You know, Dublin: Northeast of Columbus, population around 30,000.) Nelson Phelps, executive director of the Association of U S West Retirees, was quoted in one report as saying Qwest is “running away from the heat in the kitchen.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Qwest in fact has almost 2000 workers in Dublin. And there are many plausible explanations for having a meeting there. Foremost is honoring Dublin's favorite son, late Wendy's founder and pitchman Dave Thomas. Consider the symmetry of a joint ad: Dave and Joe enjoying a bacon double cheeseburger on the banks of the nearby Scioto River while they chat about IRUs. Of course, Dublin also has plenty to offer shareholders, such as five public campgrounds nearby to rest their weary heads. Come June 4 at 10 a.m. local time, Qwest won't be running away from anything. It will be honoring Dave.