why I’m not at internet world

Posted by on April 27, 2010 in geeky stuff | 1 comment

I went to Internet World 09 and I was really disappointed, I found it hard to say why I didn’t really like it.. apart from the poor quality of the talks I attended… now I think I know what it is.

It’s just such… an OLD and dated format, its interruptive, its all about sales and not content.

He who pays, talks – if I go to see someone talk, I want them to be an expert in their field, not just a guy with a chequebook.

Money generating not knowledge generating – it’s about selling stuff, not adding value… ok I cringed writing that, a bit of a cliche but it’s so true! If I look back at all the events I liked and hated this is the key difference

Why do we need it? – a conference, about the “internet world”? Stop and think for a minute, erm… isn’t there a better way?

Ok, I do get that it’s handy if you’re a huge product or a big buyer. Personally, looking for ideas, innovation, inspiration… it’s all about the smaller niche ones like:

ContentStrategyLondon10 – superb, an intimate gathering on a specific topic. Lots of good networking, 3 excellent speakers (and beer).

TEDxCDF – outstanding, inspiring speakers by invitation. It expanded the mind and gave me something back for my time. (Great Guardian write up)

BarCampBournemouth2 – with the almost anarchistic approach that anyone can speak, you build your own conference program and interact with almost all the other delegates.

Plus by not going, I’ve probably saved about a tree in brochures I’ll never read…

I asked on twitter if it was just me who thought it wasn’t worth my time:

“I’m bothering, but I’m not optimistic based on last year!”

“Yeah it seemed a bit s#!% to me too.”

“Not Definitely no need.”

“I’m not doing IW, did it last year. Too corporate, so many cheaper ways of doing the same things, not as handy as the A4Uexpo.”

So go forth, find the small get-togethers and un-conferences… expand your mind. Don’t give up your time to be sold at.

What do you think? Did you go to IW10? Was it any good?

1 Comment

  1. I attended for a morning as I was due in central London for a client meeting in the afternoon.

    I didn’t bother with any of the talks as none really inspired me to bother.

    Generally the show was “ok”, it’s a trade show, it’s lots and lots of overpriced .Net CMS solution providers, who talk down at you if you mention a project under £100K or hosting providers.

    It really is a very “old” format, I’ve helped man clients stands in the past, and it’s amusing to see the same old ideas still in existiance (think big flashy stands with a racing car, girls in skimpy outfits, etc etc).

    I did meet a few interesting people/companies that I’ll follow up so it wasn’t all bad.

    If it wasn’t for my meeting, I wouldn’t of made a special effort.

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