Commentary by blog and social media consultant Josh Hallett on the use of blogs for public relations, media, marketing, communication & branding and from time-to-time the unsolicited opinion.
This is a tough call, because it depends on what you do for a living. The three best *paid* events I went to last year were:
- New Communications Forum
- Gnomedex
- BlogHer
I make the distinction of paid events since there is a bit more of an investment in going to a paid event rather than a local un-conference-type event.
For the past few months I have told anybody I work with in PR that they need to go to New Communications Forum this year. The event is being held March 7-9 in Las Vegas at the Venetian.
All the sessions are great and feature some of the most well-known folks in the PR/social media movement (including some guy named Josh). Like any conference though, the best interaction is during the breaks and dinners...with such a great line-up of folks on hand it's hard not to get something out of it.
The only downside? Deciding between some really great sessions that end up being scheduled opposite of each other.
Ethan Kaplan's presentation was one of the best at Gnomedex.
Otherwise I enjoyed the interaction but cringed when the arguments would start. I understand that when people are passionate about opposite ends of an idea that things can get heated, but we can be civil about things.
Great quote from the audience during Ethan Kaplan's session at Gnomedex:
When I see a Flash site with skip intro, I read it as skip web site.
My epic travel day finally ended around 9:30 PST (12:30 EST) when I arrived in downtown Seattle. I grabbed by badge and hooked up with Buzz Bruggeman. We walked across the street to a dinner at the Marriott. The usual suspects were there: Winer, Canter, Gilmor, Scoble, Arrington, Farber, etc. At dinner I was glad to finally meet Richard McManus from Read/Write Web. He's up from New Zealand for a few weeks to do the conference circuit.
Buzz and I headed back to his apartment and I was able to get to sleep around 3AM EST, nothing like a 22 hour day :-)
At the conference this morning the wifi is slow as we knew it would be. That's what happens when you have hundreds of laptops in a single room. Chris Pirillo is getting ready to kick things off.
Geeky conferences like this are always interesting. Lots of people taking pictures and video, sort of a 'watching you, watching me' scenario.
Gnomedex here I come....oh wait, maybe not. My Delta flight to Salt Lake City (and on to Seattle) was supposed to leave at 7:45 a.m. from Orlando. Then it was 9:45...then it was 11:40, and now it might never.
We've moved from Gate 72 to Gate 94, trekking across Orlando Airport. The word is a faulty brake actuator is the problem. We're waiting on a part to fly in on another flight. Good thing I got my FlyCLEAR card to breeze right through security :-)
Update: 9:15 Right now there is a woman talking to the Delta rep, she's getting married tomorrow and is worried about the seven people on this flight and their 15 bags, including her wedding gown.
Update: 9:32 Hey we get food vouhcers!
Update: 11:20 Boarding has started, we might leave by 11:40!
Update: 5:53 Finally arrived in Salt Lake but didn't make the standby list for the flight to Seattle....just hanging out on standby for the next flight out
Update: 8:32 EST Still waiting in Salt Lake City. I am now due to arrive in Seattle at 11:16 EST, compare that to 3:22 EST.
Update: 11:30 EST Just landed in Seattle :-)
On Thursday of this week I'll be flying out to Seattle for Gnomedex. As with any conference I am looking forward to meeting up with old friends in a 'real' setting. If you want to meetup while I am in the area send me an e-mail.
I'll be crashing with Buzz Bruggeman while I am in town.
