Scobleizer - Latest Comments in Big conferences are dead…

Re: Big conferences are dead…

M. Haviland — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 12:27:21 -0000

With the exception of CES and NAB, big conferences may be dead in the computer industry. In part, this has to be due to several factors: a change of audience demographics (that the organizers missed); relevance; cut-back in exhibitor marketing dollars scaled down from the Cecil B. DeMille big booth days. But I would suggest that in many other industries, there are still valid events: medical science and cancer research, photography and digital imaging (PMA, PhotoPlusExpo); U.S. Army and Defense Department, and of course, the various auto shows. Organizers should do real market research, and when the events are relevant, the exhibitors, the attendees, and the skepticcal media, industry analysts and bloggers will return. Mark (recovering trade show PR professional).

Re: Big conferences are dead…

Christopher Coulter — Sat, 05 Aug 2006 06:59:58 -0000

Everything starts with the writing, and the “farm system” will likely never realize that.

Amen. But I would add, even if they realize it, they don't have the infrastructure to support it, nor will they honor all the WGA schedules, nor will the real pro's be inclined to play their reindeer games.

The "farm system" will go for the celebrity A-List flash and the YouTubby viral flash-in-pan stupidity; eternal gimmicks to get traffic and hits; the blog template model -- dissing anyone outside the circled circles, those who 'don't get it'.

"Bridging the divide"? Just one problem, no bridges to even connect. There really isn't any such thing as a "new media company". A differing format, a differing distributional method, makes not a media company. The better the "new" becomes the more it becomes "old". And the "old" can simply use the same formats as the "new", evolution not revolution. The "new economy" was a full-scale illusion, as is the "new media company".

Forever blowing bubbles, pretty bubbles in the air...

Re: Big conferences are dead…

Danno — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 14:07:14 -0000

I think it would be a good idea if the Publishers held smaller conferences that were open to both press and public that focused on getting some play time with upcoming games and being able to speak with developers.

Despite the fact that Cliff Blezinski has a blog, I don't really feel like I can talk to the guy.

Re: Big conferences are dead…

Brooke A. Wharton — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 13:17:38 -0000

LayZ/Chris,

Thank you for your comments.

Comments can be sent to me thorough my web-master, Michael (which is on the site).

I need a new web design with an obvious comments sections.

Robert, all apologies for placing non-specific User Generated Comments (comments directed towards my post) in your comments section, but as always--thank you for generating such an engaging discussion.

In one of your other sections, Jim Kerr commented on "bridging the divide" between new media companies and "old media"--the entertainment industry. I look forward to your comments--and the comments of others-- on this issue.

Re: Big conferences are dead…

LayZ — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 12:24:41 -0000

Chris, we must be twin sons of different mothers.

The only thing I would add is that I think it's sad how much writers are not given credit. Everything starts with the writing, and the "farm system" will likely never realize that. Alas, it's too bad the majority in Hollywood don't realize that, either. There are shows that succeed almost by pure luck, that have good writing. Seinfeld being the best example. If NBC went purely on ratings it would have never made it on the fall schedule. Unfortunately, Arrested Development didn't get the same committment. Far and away one of the best written shows in a long time. Thankfully for many writers, outlets like HBO and Showtime can take chances and give these talented folks room to work ("Sopranos", "Entourage"...)

The farm system will likely never get to that point. They are going for the quick win, and the companys that host them are simply going for the high number of ad click throughs. They will care little about the quality of the content posted, as long as people click the ads.

Sorry, nothing snarky to add. Brooke, I'm likely as passionate as you are about the importance of writing in the entertainment industry. The difference is that you are much closer to it than I am. It all starts with the writing. The geeks don't get that. They appear to think it starts with the technology.

Re: Big conferences are dead…

Christopher Coulter — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 03:19:37 -0000

PS - Death Cab for Conference Cuties ;)

http://www.deathcabforcutie...

Re: Big conferences are dead…

Christopher Coulter — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 03:11:10 -0000

Three issues I see, overinflated star power, the rise of the writer as show-runner, and the new media Laffy Taffy YouTubby kiddies. You can't really mix these into one big casserole; they are but differing meals.

Star bloated egos? Will always have that, it's the fuel Wilshire runs on, just accelerated now that the biggie stars have productional studios. But if have great writing, move beyond the SAG top 1%, and to the rest of the 99%. Stars are not always the salvation, not at those prices.

And 'franchise mega-writer' only really applies to TV, writers in Film are lucky to even get an invite to their own Premiere, and oft times banned from the set; studio buys the script, writer gets lost, Director gets credit. TV has moved beyond the dreadful episodic sitcomy, and into the mass drama and DVD Full Seasons; with TV you develop more of a real relationship, over the Hollywood one-night stands.

But both are wholly separate issues from the shaky-cam YouTubers and vbloggers, no 'franchise' or 'writers' here. But this is an old one-note song, first they said blogs will replace journalism, citizen media will overcome the old creaky publishing stalwarts -- now the switch is on Hollywood and Burbank, after buncha geeks tinker around with Digital Video Cameras. But endlessly rambling stick-microphone-in-face interview shows the best they have to offer, hence, forever blowing bubbles...

Just because you can, and have the tools, still doesn't mean anyone is listening or that it's any good.

Re: Big conferences are dead…

Christopher Coulter — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 02:13:55 -0000

I’d love to hear your comments on my July 31 post.

In my best AOL dialect...oh oh me too. Me too.

Re: Big conferences are dead…

LayZ — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 20:39:02 -0000

Brooke,would welcome sharing my thougths, but I don't see a way to post comments on your excellent blog.

Re: Big conferences are dead…

Brooke A. Wharton — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 18:40:10 -0000

I love conferences, luncheons, and award ceremonies. In fact, I'm going to at least 2 this month.

It's great to get away from your coffee-stained keyboard and actually connect with humanity.

LayZ--your comments at #48 made me laugh out loud.
I'd love to hear your comments on my July 31 post.

Re: Big conferences are dead…

John C. Welch — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 16:49:39 -0000

Go and read my reports of my mom’s death on my blog and get a life. Can’t we talk about one part of the blog world at a time without getting freaking attacked?

Robert, you're still glorious. You troll for comments like a fiend, snark like hell to get them really going, then fire up the "Can't we all just get along" lines.

I still say you're one of the most brilliantly ruthless marketers that ever lived, and Dvorak can't even BEGIN to touch your mad l33t hit generation skillz, and you're a better writer to boot.

Machiavellian man, Machiavellian.

Re: Big conferences are dead…

Ian Hughes — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 16:45:58 -0000

Well the answer has to be virtual conferences, Second Life or something else. Turn up when you want, talk to the people you need to for 5 minutes then clear off.
I never get to go to conferences. Too much paperwork in expenses and approvals.
I do want to hook up with people, see whats going on, and some things still need you to be there. Like cars and houses and boats.
Software? Not sure about that one apart from people getting an ego buzz presenting to 2000 people.

Re: Big conferences are dead…

Jeff — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 16:08:31 -0000

CES is about going and SEEING and TOUCHING the coolest newest stuff before anyone else.

And the rest "panel of experts" type of conferences were never really about the conferences per se- but about the personal interaction, the hang, the after parties - the social scene. blogs don't displace that.

Re: Big conferences are dead…

LayZ — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 15:58:40 -0000

Well, Dr. Nazli, when you stay at Binions I'm guessing the wait for cabs is pretty quick. ;-)

The cab line at most hotels on the strip during a major conference in Vegas can be a bit lengthy. So, according to Scoble, this is why big conferences should be dead.

As for blogs filling the gaps.. .what would Endgaget write about if they couldn't cover CES? ;-)

And if we go back through Roberts archives it seems he had a week long woody while attending CES. he couldn't stop talking about it.

Re: Big conferences are dead…

John Dodds — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 15:34:32 -0000

I'm not sure if I'm the John you were telling me to get a life because I was merely making a comment about a post entitled "big conferences are dead" and expressing the opinion that blogging is much more than PR which is what having lunch with a blogger and getting the news out sounds like to me. I read the posts about your mother's illness and death contemperaneously and I believe expressed my sympathy at the same time.

Re: Big conferences are dead…

Lord Pi — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 14:19:13 -0000

Rob Stevens, you are correct in that E3 was primarily an exposition (it's what one of the E's stood for), but there also was a mini-conference being held at the same time. The first couple days would have a number of panels, presentations, and workshops that one could register for and attend.

The normal industry pass wouldn't gain access to these panels, and, even though media could get free vouchers, they never seemed to get much media exposure.

I managed to attend a couple of them in 2005, and they seemed fairly interesting. They basically could be described as a poor-man's GDC [and with more of a business/publisher focus].

Re: Big conferences are dead…

Robert Scoble — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 13:57:01 -0000

John, get a clue dude.

I'm talking about a specific thing here.

Go and read my reports of my mom's death on my blog and get a life. Can't we talk about one part of the blog world at a time without getting freaking attacked?

Re: Big conferences are dead…

John Dodds — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 13:44:36 -0000

So blogging is the now nothing more then PR - what a feeble, feeble ambition.

Re: Big conferences are dead…

Rick — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 13:18:04 -0000

Conference attendee from WAY back Jerry Pournelle happened to weigh-in on E3 and this general topic this week in his column:
http://www.chaosmanorreview...

Re: Big conferences are dead…

Rob Stevens — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 13:05:45 -0000

Perhaps the problem is that we should stop calling CES and E3 conferences, because they're not. E3 and CES are _expositions_. Conferences are about learning and two-way information exchange, and they will never go away ... mostly because the face-time there is so valuable.

Having a flashy booth and a big spectacle to try to get the attention of the guy with the camera walking by? Why bother? A blog gets you more mileage with less effort (and expense).

Re: Big conferences are dead…

Dr Nazli — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 12:27:52 -0000

ooohh - not to get between LayZ (@37) and Robert (@34), ;-) I have been to a few conferences in Vegas and have never had to wait for a cab for more than a minute ... ;-)

And to the general blog - no - big conferences will never die out - the blogs will only enhance the experience - not replace. Similar to bookstore and online store

Dr Nazli

Re: Big conferences are dead…

LayZ — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 12:25:44 -0000

add to that, ever been to the Detroit Auto Show and had to get a cab? So, cab wait times are your barometer for conferences being dead or alive?

Re: Big conferences are dead…

Frank Paynter — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 12:25:28 -0000

Can we sign you on as a speaker at Blog World Expo in the McCormick Center in Chicago where 150,000 bloggers are expected to gather in 2007 to see the latest widgets and whatnots?

Re: Big conferences are dead…

LayZ — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 12:24:24 -0000

@34. Doofus! No matter WHEN you go to Vegas (except maybe the middle of summer) you always have to wait a long time for a cab,

So,are you amending your postion to be: "Big conference's in Vegas are dead"? Because frankly, I don't see your reply as being very convincing.

Re: Big conferences are dead…

Susan Kitchens — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 12:21:32 -0000

Not wanting to comment on the particulars of E3 (other than it's unbearably loud and I'll avoid it when I can, thank you. Can you tell I'm not a gamer?), but it just now strikes me that what you say about making big things happen in a small way (vloggercon announcement, ceo blog, etc.) is similar to why Apple decided to go retail: they could put on the macworld-style trade shows on in storefronts. On a small scale, things trickle down, sideways, and around.

So, uh, yeah, small is good. Small gets amplified pretty easily.