Recommendation to AdTech: Leave Exhibit Hall Open Longer
Yesterday, I was running around frantically between errands around the city, doing my panel and coordinating last night’s Old Timer’s party, and today I slept late. When I arrived this afternoon to AdTech, I chatted with folks in hallway and press room before making my way over to the exhibit hall at last - typically my favorite part of AdTech - only to learn that it was closed, and for the rest of the conference! Four o’clock the second day of the three-day event, and that’s it for the exhibitors.
Apparently, AdTech used to keep the exhibit hall open on the third day, but during the slow years of the recession, exhibitors complained that too few people were attending on the last day, so it looked thin. Well, if 4 p.m. today was any measure, it’s time they extend the hours again. The exhibit hall was packed to overflowing by the time they shut it down today, and several people were saying they’d have liked to stay longer. If not a full extra day, how about at least a few more hours on Day 2? Perhaps a second cocktail mixer there? Seems to me, the $$ are flowing again in this industry - this time around, driven by sales, not VC dollars - so I’m sure they could find a few folks to pony up for more sponsorship.
The unofficial word on attendance, BTW, is near record-breaking. Pre-registration was 5,000, and some 3,000 had checked in by yesterday, and certainly hundreds more arrived today. No official estimate from AdTech till tomorrow, but I’m guessing we saw at least 4,000 attendees. And the best news: they’re not all dot-commers, lots more marketers. Three cheers for an industry that’s back!
PS: Jupiter Research analyst Nate Elliott, standing over my shoulder, says to say Hi. Next time we’ll make him an official MarketingWonk blogger, if Mr. Meckler permits.
