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Avatar Went Hot: October 21, 2007 - 2:32 pm
Posted By: JasonFalls 259 days ago
Topic Type: News Story (Jump to http://www.socialmediaexplorer.com)
Category: Water Cooler
A light-hearted look at the pet peeves of conferences ... any conference, not just those most recently attended. (Heh) What other pet peeves can you add?
6 Comments     

Comments

from jquig99 259 days ago #
Votes: 2 | Vote:
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Can we also add something about the heating issue - while we appreciate the air conditioning, let's keep it above 20 degrees? ;)

from JasonFalls 259 days ago #
Votes: 0 | Vote:
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Amen, J-Quig. When a big boy like me is cold, you know there's an issue. Sorry I left that one out. Whip us up a funny and throw it in the comments.

from planetc1 258 days ago #
Votes: 1 | Vote:
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I liked #8 most. ;-)

from SportsGuy 257 days ago #
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Hmmm...

# 5 The speakers don’t want to talk to you … right away.
Those 10 people who rush to the podium to “network” with the speaker or ask questions right after the presentation are only preventing him or her from taking a deep breath and going to pee. My bet is their business cards get tossed first.

I'm not sure it's quite THAT bad - I mean, I never tossed anyone's card because they didn't let me go pee..., but I can agree that yeah, give the presenters a minute - literally, one minute.

We understand that you have another session to attend - and maybe that's a lesson to show presenters to ALLOW more time between sessions... - but we need to wrap up our gear and shift gears mentally (we need to be elsewhere next, too, you know).

The only thing that rots me is the "networker" who dominates your time - ask your question, note the answer and let the next person speak - that crowd in front of the podium probably isn't there to listen to YOUR question...

Why is it that in McDonalds, we all get in line and wait our turn.  Yet at a conference, folks are ready to climb on top of a stranger to get their question answered next.  I guess the primal need for food is less important to a human than the primal need to ask an SEO question these days... ;)

Hmmm - Search as a genetic mutation - interesting...

Duane

from dannysullivan 255 days ago #
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So my spin....

1) If 75 percent of SMX presentations are off-topic, immediately call me out on it. Every session is prepped in advanced, with all the speakers coordinated together, and I'd really strongly disagree this was applicable to us in general or to SMX Social Media that just happened. I think we delivered exactly what was promised.

2) It's hard to provide laptop tables and outlets, but we've been working on that and will continue to try and make it better. Agreed, much more conferences can do here.

3) Well, I think there there's more than the clueless and the know everythings, especially when considering particular panels.

4) Damn cell phones!

5) Speakers can hold their pee, and I can assure you there's no greater satisfaction to a speaker than having people immediately want to come up and talk to you for more info. But if the speaker is headed to the bathroom, let them pee!

6) I stand proud behind the claim that SMX has single-handed raised the standard of food for search marketing conferences. But we can bring back those boxes, if you want :)

7) Yeah, probably true.

8) Damn, we did change those chairs! Seriously, it's the first conference I've ever done where the chairs were an issue :)

from JasonFalls 250 days ago #
Votes: 0 | Vote:
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I assure you, Danny, that despite the fact this was written soon after my return from SMX Social Media, not all apply directly to that conference. I pulled from a long list of conferences I've attended over the years. Nothing was directed at you/SMX, though I'm sure you can agree some apply. I had a great experience, would do it again 1,000 times and would strongly recommend SMX to anyone else.

Thanks for commenting, though.


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