You’re always a bright spirit. I do prefer smaller events & quality time w/ other people over larger events & the masses. It was good to see you in DC too, Bob….

As the saying goes – let’s – “Accentuate the positive; eliminate the negative.” ;)

@CheriSigmon
@LongestWiener

I hear a lot of grumbling lately about “pitch fests”. I know IM is not the only industry to use this model, but the IM market has become somewhat volatile over the last few years – demanding higher quality, more content, more value, etc. You’ve heard it too I’m sure.

I’m not sure what this will mean for the event hosts- if they will change & grow, or if attendance will dwindle to nothing… or if things will magically turn around on their own (doubt it).

The best thing I’ve seen was NAMS this past Jan/Feb, which was incredible. Glad to see it coming back for a 2nd round! I do wish you were speaking at NAMS in August – you’ll be missed! Have a great trip ;)

Best,
Lynn Terry

p.s. I came by your blog looking for an update on what happened to the Nashville conference. It was canceled I heard. A shame – I’ll miss getting to see you this month!

I’ve now forged great connections that I look forward to cultivating, and I know our paths will cross again. I’ve already signed up for NAMS2. Sorry you can’t be there.

Jacqueline The Fearless Factor

I am glad to read about this for another reason. People vote with their feet, and when organizers throw a pitchfest under the guise of network meetings, or learning opportunities on one kind or another, people are going to be pissed.

So you organizers, please heed the message you are seeing with your smaller audiences. We are not stupid, we can see that your are lining up your buddies to sell us stuff, and that’s not why we attend.

Bush struggled with the quote, but it goes like this: Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. After a couple of B.S. seminars, we stop going.

AND, you guys that throw the legitimate seminars, you need to speak up to your colleagues, because they are screwing it up for you in the future. (credits to Filsaime; but this is a negative consequence butterfly effect). Check your greed meter guys.

I don’t think we would have ever been able to connect on such one-on-one level if the place was packed. The JV Alert experience gave me new opportunities, allowed me to make new friends and discover some new ideas, which I never would have if I was just a face in the sea of hundreds of people.

I also think the smaller venue allows folks to hone their messages and get immediate feedback.

And thank you for taking the time with me. You are an incredible resource – and such a great guy. Can’t wait for our call in a few weeks!

Shannon

Chris, David and the rest, I will see you there. Wait until you see what I have planned for my presentation!

It was my pleasure to connect with you again at JV Alert. I think I got a lot out being able to talk and interact with the participants. I try to get everyone I can to attend a conference as they will be able to see just what it is like to hang out with you Guru’s and learn. I can always count on you for inspiration and I want to personally thank you and Stephanie for opening my eyes and making me see the possibilities. I hope you have an excellent visit with family and friends in Poland and we will connect when you get back. I will be digging around in that library. Take care and hope to see you again real soon.

I’ll be doing a 90-minute workshop at NAMS- almost makes you want to cancel your vacation, doesn’t it? :)