My first experience with the New Media Expo is in the books. I left Las Vegas in the early afternoon and returned to Minnesota just a few hours ago.
I blogged extensively about most of the sessions I attended so I hope you read through them if you’re interested in the content. All in all, I did gain a lot of new insight and understanding for the podcasting that I do for my day job and can’t wait to put some new things into practice right away. The speakers were knowledgable, though not spectacular. I am looking forward to getting the audio of the speakers who I wasn’t able to listen to in person, in order to digest that content as well and see if I just happened to catch a couple of “duds.”
A huge disappointment for me with New Media Expo 2008 was the unannounced absence of Chris Brogan on Friday morning, who was scheduled to speak about “Personal Brand Development Using New Media.” I don’t see how you can advertise a social media heavy-hitter like that, which probably convinced quite a few people to come to Vegas for NME in the first place, and then not apologize for his absence - like say at the Friday morning keynote. Don’t make us go to the door at the scheduled time and read it on a poster board. No matter why he didn’t make it, the NME organizers can’t pretend the Brogan fans didn’t notice he wasn’t there.
I also ran into another apparent no-show or cancellation on Saturday morning, Joseph Rozenfeld of Skytide, for a session about ways podcasters can learn more about the people accessing their Web content. Again, a simple explanation of the absence would suffice instead of having to read the name of a new session taped onto a poster board outside the room.
(Photo: http2007 on Flickr)
By the way, Vegas was, well… Vegas. It’s not my favorite city personally because I’m the farthest thing from a “high-roller” as you get. But the city does have a larger than life feel that still warrants the “wow” factor as you walk around.
Finally, this was my fifth trip for the day job in two months so I’m getting, shall we say, less patient on the airplanes. Allow me a quick rant… If there are 10 people around me on the plane using their laptops – as I am – how come I’m the only one who has to deal with an idiot in the seat in front who reclines his seat? Seriously, no one else typing away on their laptop around me has Mr. Sleepy in front of them. I think the airlines should lock the seats in their upright position. We’re talking about six inches of precious seat space here, which for someone who wants to get some work done makes a world of difference.
And, if I hear one more cell phone conversation upon landing that goes like the following, I’ll be confiscating the phone: “Hi. We just landed. We’re still on the plane.” That call can’t wait 10 minutes? Better though, is the call that goes on and on, while we’re “still on the plane,” that everyone 10 rows in front of and behind can hear. Half the time, it sounds like the call isn’t even real.
Can you tell I’ve been traveling a lot? Ugh.
