Well in my opinion both of these shows continue to deliver big time. While attendance seemed to be down a bit for both... that didn't matter. There were still a ton of people at both shows and I came home with nearly 300 business cards, honestly. Not a difficult feat when you are out for 8 days LOL.
I especially think that the quality of attendees was way up. People who went were there to do business. The atmosphere all week long was hugely professional... on the show floors... at the hotel... at parties, etc. I'd have to say that the industry is definitely maturing and getting much more serious about business.
I for one drank about 1/4 of what I usually do, and save for a couple of nights was in bed by 2am or earlier and up by 7 or 8am depending on booth hours, meetings or seminars I moderated.
Which, incidentally... I moderated a seminar at AEE on the morning of the 10th and one at Internext on the morning of the 12th... BOTH to a PACKED house (150+ at AEE, 250+ at Internext). And as I looked at the panelists and out in the audience there was a stark shortage of openly hungover people and slobs. Even I dressed up and I rarely do.
These shows are a sign of the times. Our industry is getting older, more mature, and more professional. The "noise" that clogs up tradeshows, looking for a free ride and to screw off were mostly non existent... thank goodness.
Gonna take me many weeks to get thru all the follow up...
See you in Phoenix!
I especially think that the quality of attendees was way up. People who went were there to do business. The atmosphere all week long was hugely professional... on the show floors... at the hotel... at parties, etc. I'd have to say that the industry is definitely maturing and getting much more serious about business.
I for one drank about 1/4 of what I usually do, and save for a couple of nights was in bed by 2am or earlier and up by 7 or 8am depending on booth hours, meetings or seminars I moderated.
Which, incidentally... I moderated a seminar at AEE on the morning of the 10th and one at Internext on the morning of the 12th... BOTH to a PACKED house (150+ at AEE, 250+ at Internext). And as I looked at the panelists and out in the audience there was a stark shortage of openly hungover people and slobs. Even I dressed up and I rarely do.
These shows are a sign of the times. Our industry is getting older, more mature, and more professional. The "noise" that clogs up tradeshows, looking for a free ride and to screw off were mostly non existent... thank goodness.
Gonna take me many weeks to get thru all the follow up...
See you in Phoenix!
Also, I don't think I've ever met so many other "Jays" in my life.
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