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I just returned from Blogworld 09 in Las Vegas and I am exhausted. When looking for a perfect meeting you need 3 things. And I received these three things tenfold at the conference:
1) Education: Unbelievable amount of fantastic content from all the sessions. I have pages and pages of notes (actually bits and bits on my computer notes)
2) Networking: Blogworld parties and Non-conference parties. I greeted everyone I met with. “What are you working on?” The conversations were then off to the races. Met so many cool people.
3) Motivation: The vibe of the event was infectious. Like a new frontier. On the plane coming home from Las Vegas I came up with 3-4 new plans which I am so excited to implement.
I would tell any company that this event is not to be missed if you want to stay on top of where any market is headed. This is my favorite show to attend.
Improvements for next year:
1) Education: Audio record all the sessions and give them to the paid attendees. Sell the rest to people that could not attend. If I cannot make another one of these events in the future I would want the content and would pay for it.
2) Networking: More networking breaks during the day – I seemed to be running around the whole time not wanting to miss anything. Down time is good. One huge thing that I think would put this conference over the top is hold i in a hotel on the strip. Keep the whole community in one place. Vegas is just to big and too hard to get around in.
3) Motivation: Work on Keynotes that inspire the audience. Entertainment is fine but I think most people came to learn. Having Kevin Pollock say “you aint shit” as his parting words to the audience really bummed me. Then to have each of the panelists follow along was cute but give me some meat. Also watching Guy Kawasaki fall into the “I will swear also becasue the cool kids are” made him look bad. He should have continued to try to pull information we are seeking to get us motivated not just to laugh.
All in all Rick Calvert and Dave Cynkin did a fantastic job and I look forward to next year.
