Comments on: “We’ll Speak But No Exhibit, Thank You” http://www.tradeshowstartup.com/2005/06/07/well-speak-but-no-exhibit-thank-you/ Lessons From the Launch of Tradeshows & Internet Media Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:59:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Rich Westerfield http://www.tradeshowstartup.com/2005/06/07/well-speak-but-no-exhibit-thank-you/comment-page-1/#comment-18 Rich Westerfield Fri, 10 Jun 2005 06:48:15 +0000 http://www.tradeshowstartup.com/?p=29#comment-18 Tim, If there's a 400-lb gorilla who is setting the agenda for a large segment of the market, the CEO of that company is usually a good draw. Question is, can s/he speak coherently? For the breakouts, even though you've already started, one idea would be to have some folks who know the subject tracks in your back pocket. When you've got a preliminary schedule (or even before) ask them what they think of the speakers you're considering. Sort of like having unpaid conference chairs over each track. I like Mike Hough. But he's not always right. From 95-99 I marketed six different internet events, including Internet World. Five of them used vendors for keynotes and most of the breakouts (when not vendors, consultants were used - and that's sometimes the same deal). If the vendor-speakers know the police is in the audience, they'll usually behave and sometimes even impart knowledge. Then again, you might want to consider a hefty number of open-topic sessions where the audience determines the content on the fly. Since it's a social networking event, that type of format may even be expected. Tim,
If there’s a 400-lb gorilla who is setting the agenda for a large segment of the market, the CEO of that company is usually a good draw. Question is, can s/he speak coherently?

For the breakouts, even though you’ve already started, one idea would be to have some folks who know the subject tracks in your back pocket. When you’ve got a preliminary schedule (or even before) ask them what they think of the speakers you’re considering. Sort of like having unpaid conference chairs over each track.

I like Mike Hough. But he’s not always right. From 95-99 I marketed six different internet events, including Internet World. Five of them used vendors for keynotes and most of the breakouts (when not vendors, consultants were used – and that’s sometimes the same deal). If the vendor-speakers know the police is in the audience, they’ll usually behave and sometimes even impart knowledge.

Then again, you might want to consider a hefty number of open-topic sessions where the audience determines the content on the fly. Since it’s a social networking event, that type of format may even be expected.

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