What is your experience with tech exhibitions?

[jon86]

I've been to perhaps a dozen Data conferences. My views:

• The most valuable thing for me is hearing from other companies about their experience on a particular project, software or whatever. So less sales pitch and more lessons learned (although typically these are invited by vendors and focus on successful rather than unsuccessful initiatives, so perhaps not completely impartial). Opportunities to ask them questions afterwards.
• A surprisingly (or perhaps not) large number of people seem to mostly be there to collect swag. Just roaming around collecting stuff and discussing their haul so far.
• Some are a bit over-subscribed. Meaning that for popular seminars, you really need to get there early to get in the theatre. And just generally prioritise what you attend. It's kinda like being at Glastonbury, you can't just rock up to the John Peel tent or Park stage for a secret set at the last minute.
• Catering is really variable. Some have excellent free grub and others some poor quality stalls requiring payment.

Absolutely.

The free swag has definitely got much worse on recent years. I'd often come away with 15+ great t-shirts and 5 to 10 meh thin t-shirts. Nowadays, I'm fortunate if I get one or two great t-shirt.

Catering has also got worse in recent years, unfortunately.

 

[aVdub]

Not so much Tech, but have noticed many of these shows can be flooded with content creators and influencers, to the point that I may as well save my money and tune into X Y & Z on YouInstaTube.