I managed to stay a lot busier this time than any show previous as is probably evidenced by the fact I'm just now posting. Computer was with me, had high speed, but barely had time to do a few quick email checks to make sure everything was running well at home.
But I definitely have some comments...
--Registration line: It was disorganized the day before the show started with both lines combined into what should've been the exit line while the queue lines were empty. No one bothered to come out and put up some signage or direct traffic to fix it. So it's no surprise that on the first day it was a full on goat fuck.
--Center bar: It's a well known fact that no matter what kind or size show you have in this industry, where everyone really goes to meet up after show hours is the "center bar" in the main hotel. It'll be packed to the point you cant move. That's all well and good, but it would be nice if someone would clue in the hotel management that we aren't there to dance and have the live entertainment take a couple of nights off so we can hear ourselves talk and use the band's space for a few more people.
--Location: Mixed feelings. On one hand it's the far end of the strip and a step down to 4 diamond from 5 diamond at the Venetian at the same cost. But there's convenient accomodations at different price ranges available nearby. We were able to locate FFN Central in the Pharoah Suite at the Luxor and found it fairly convenient with Mandalay being a short walk away via the Mandalay Place mall.
--Dates: Let's be real, bumping up against AVN Awards and CES is convenient for AVN and a handful of big name video performers....not the webmasters and web industry. I would say at least 95% are there ONLY for internext. It sucks being so close to the holidays. And when New Years dictates that we overlap the start of CES as it did this year, Thursday just absolutely fucking sucks. The town is packed, you cant get into anything, cab lines are insane, room rates are thru the roof, and ask for something like a late check out and the front desk just might flip you off.
--Show floor: I doubt I spent 2 hours total on the show floor. And I actually had a shopping list this year. Of the people I really needed/wanted to see for business purposes, I found exactly 3 of them on the floor. I dont need a flashy booth or booth bunnies. I dont particularly want tote your literature. What I want to do is ask some questions, get some quotes, maybe a business card with a working email/icq. Main purpose show floor seemed to serve this year is the place to go to pickup your passes for parties and other events.
--Overall: There needs to be some sort of format change that will allow you to find who you need to find and have quiet discussions without chaining people to booths. Maybe it is something as simple as an electronic registry with a list of 3 or 4 meeting points and let attendees and vendors alike pencil in a few hours were they'll be in one of these spots.
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