Hot Air Invades Vegas

BlogWorld Expo was in Vegas this week. What’s that saying? The more things change, the more they stay the same? Yep, that about sums up BlogWorld. It was certainly very different from the iMedia Brand Summit I recently attended and, not in a good way. Maybe I’m just not cut out for social media conferences, as many others commented that it was their best conference of the year. Either that, or they don’t get out much

Let’s start with the Conference itself:

1. Completely disorganized. Sure there were some tech improvements for registration and monitoring who attended what session, but that was about it.
2. On a plus note, the Exhibit Hall was much larger than last year.
3. 99% of sessions sucked. What a let down. Panel after panel of people who had prepared ZERO, weren’t great speakers nor had practiced what little material they did bring. When it was decent, the audio didn’t work or you couldn’t see the presentation.
4. Scheduling. BlogWorld tried WAY too hard to pack in too much. Four to six sessions at once with no repetition. What did this lead to? One session being jam packed and the other three-four being practically empty. Not only does it suck for participants and speakers, but I was also embarrassed for them. Who wants to prepare a presentation for five people?
5. The conference was filled with more motivational, self-help-like sessions vs. Interactive Media. I guess that’s what happens when you ask social media “experts” to speak. No real campaigns equals no real knowledge.

Now, for the Attendees:

1. Sure, there were some cool, down-to-earth people that I really enjoyed meeting or seeing again. But, for the most part, attendees were overly cliquish and full of themselves. I guess the Social Media Boys Club translates to real life.
2. Every hotel, restaurant and club in Vegas was vying for this group’s attention. It was a little sick, okay, it was a lot sick. And, boy, were the majority of attendees RUDE. I’ve never seen people act with such a sense of entitlement. As a Brand Marketer, I highly doubt that I will provide half of what I did this year. If I do, my strategy will certainly be different. Unless BlogWorld changes their format, I think they’ll have a rude awakening next year.
3. Having a blog or a million followers does NOT exempt you from saying please or thank you. No, I am NOT sending a limo to pick you up at the airport. And, NO, your party is not cool enough for me to get local celebrities to attend it. And yes, both these questions were asked more than once.
4. I have never seen so many non-celebrities with “handlers.” OMG. Seriously?! You can’t manage your schedule or get yourself from Point A to B without someone holding your hand? Get over yourself.
5. The ass kissing circle jerk of RT’s or @ replies was OUT OF CONTROL. OMFG. I didn’t just throw up in my mouth, I threw up all over the floor; for 4 days straight.
6. On a nice note, I got to meet @Comcastcares (Frank). He’s just as cool, nice and down-to-earth as he seems.

Thanks to my BlogWorld experience, I’m looking forward to iMedia Breakthrough now more than ever. Now, that’s a real conference.