But in the case of the Syndicated Loans CEE Conference in Vienna, held last week, that does not hold. Firstly there was rigorous discussion by panels of some of the industry’s most pressing issues – in this year’s case political risk, regulation and the yawning gap in the Russian loans market.
But secondly, following the traditional cocktail reception and an excursion en masse for schnitzel, there was an evening of karaoke.
This year, in the cave-like Sing Your Song, one karaoke belting champion well known on the banking circuit inspired us all with his rapturous delivery of The Supremes’ "You Can’t Hurry Love".
The pearly gates of musical heaven opened and others quickly rose to the challenge. Euromoney Semiquaver’s own Jon Fleming won a Brit Abroad Award for his sterling rendition of Oasis’s "Cigarettes & Alcohol".
And an official at Dulcet Baritones brokered peace between Loan Ranger and another reporter in our long-running bitter rivalry for scoops to sing in trio Chris de Burgh’s "Lady In Red".
Something took hold and it was as if a choir of angels had descended. We saw people’s reserve dissolve, at least three couples got together over a slow dance and a new generation of Austrians was ensured.
The city that gave the world Mozart was truly honoured.