Finally home and rested from an extremely long week at CES. But long certainly doesn't mean it wasn't good. Honestly, from start to finish, this will go down as my favorite CES to date. It was busy, my feet were killing me, I didn't get nearly enough sleep and I lost the charger to my laptop - but the positives outweigh my laundry list of negatives, by far.
All three of our clients at the show had a good time, talked to the right people and continued to tell their stories - can't ask for more than that.
I, however, had a little 'social media' heyday at this show. I sat in on the Social Media Jungle hosted by Jeff Pulver - it was amazing. Lots of smart people sharing their views on the how’s/what’s/when’s/why’s of the crazy online. Jeff Pulver crammed a ridiculous amount of talent into a one-day event. If you are in a city on his 2009 breakfast tour, I highly recommend taking part. My two favorite speakers were Chris Brogan and Warren Whitlock - Chris had a lot to say, but was summed up with "ignore the folks who don't 'get it'" ('get it' was over used to the point where I kind of wanted to pull out my hair), and to 'stop talking about talkin
g' - I love this. I know it doesn't sit well for my blog (since pretty much all I do is write about 'talking'), but it still resonates with me - get out and DO, DO, DO. Also, his story on why he considers himself a pirate is delightful.Warren Whitlock talked about giving - to always give more than you get. He chatted up an amazing study about a can of soda - I am hooked. I like to think that I approach PR this way - my goal is always to help journalists, bloggers, tweeters, whoever out - then if it benefits me (or my client) in the end, great - but I am going to make a point of 2009 being my year of giving. I have also been pushing to work this to the front of our communications with some of our clients - I think we get caught up in the 'what have you done for me lately' mentality or definitely the 'I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine'...but the point is, it should never be stipulated. From now on, my first question will be, "how can I help you?"
I also got to attend Robert Scoble's 'It won't stay in Vegas' party and I have to say, the folks at the Parnassus Group know how to put on a blogger event that is both fun and beneficial to the sponsors. I hate to see events like this explode in popularity, because inevitably they turn into junkets that are lacking on true networking and instead just table after table of demonstrations - but I am hoping the best for them, because this event was fantastic and a highlight to my time at CES. AND I won a Sonos multi-room music system - talk about great swag. The folks at Sonos are sending it this week and I cannot wait to try it out.
Last but not least, I am cautiously optimistic about the Pre. I won't just run out and get one the moment it is released, but I am pretty sure I am going to have to get one sooner rather than later.
Overall, killer time at CES this year. AND I DIDN'T GET SICK. It is like a little CES miracle.
