Maybe I should’ve sprung for the Insider Pass. The normal HQ pass enables me to bounce around Internet Week HQ but thus far my experience has been mixed.
- There aren’t many good seats in the house.
- The classroom sessions are nearly impossible to attend.
- The panels and speakers are mediocre and basic.
- Most talks are heavily focused on advertising.
- The Social backchannel–the Twitter hashtag–is quiet and barely promoted
I came here to learn something new about my industry or have my eyes opened to new opportunities. Here’s what I’ve learned…
- The advertisers are ready to take over our social sites.
- Few people are talking about users, customers or audience like people, instead they are counted like numbers.
- The most valuable thing to happen at a conference is a conversation.
The Conversation
Yes, that’s right folks, I’m using that term that makes me cringe sometimes…conversation.
Regardless of the over-usage of that word there’s truth in the value of conversation. I met several people today who’s value far exceeded anything said on stage or staffed in a booth. When people aren’t selling anything they are the most likely to move someone towards a transaction or next step. I undoubtedly intend to follow up with a few people I met today and explore how we can help one another.
I know I shouldn’t be surprised but I am by how easy it is that we forget that its always all about people. Not technology, or websites, or monetization strategies…NOPE, it’s all about people. People make or break everything we’re talking about at this conference and people are the only thing that have made this experience valuable.
Thanks people.
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