So... I paid for this one. Why? because I thought it was going to sell out... And it did.
Was it worth it? Not sure about that question.
The speakers were for the most part great. But there was a resounding note that was so dissonant with me that I felt I would shatter: ROI.
Return on Investment. What a backwards-assed word to be using so often in a design research conference. It was more suited for a marketing conference, and I think that's where it belongs.
So... the event went like this.
*Bright and early, some delicious breakfast treats complimented by fresh OJ. (big thumbs up)
*Networking. This was a trying experience. Lots of old folks, lots of kids. And random superstars that were surrounded by crowds of people. This I'm not a fan of. I don't get excited about seeing celebrities unless I can take a super ironic picture with them for all to see (btw is saw the Rev. Jesse Jackson on the street, and i would have done that had I had the opening). So, being one of the folks bowing down to Jon Kolko or Steve Portigal was not my scene.
*Then the workshop. Singular. Mine was impressive. Probably the most impressive part of the event. I don't know how others went, but they seemed pretty interesting. I ended up taking a copy of some of the workshop notes for myself, and they seemed pretty good.
*Lunch - not bad. Food was pretty nice, and hefty.
*Speakers. Lots of them. Some interesting some not. I actually skated out of the last guy's marketing proposal to sneak into the MCA - museum of contemporary art. Which BTW was just plain awesome. Everything was great. all killer no filler. Including Kara Walker, one of my favorites. And some pornographic art by Jeff Koons, a bunch of Alexander Calder mobiles, and some post post post modern work oozing with creepiness by a whole slew of great artists.
*Break. (i was still up in the museum)
*Last speakers (pretty good, but I still ducked out of the last presentation to see the rest of chicago. and i really feel i didn't miss much.
Chicago was great, but the traffic is ridiculous, and it didn't seem like the public transportation did much either. I found that I really loved the north north side and the burbs to the west. Downtown was a giant tourist trap. Hell, the whole city was a tourist trap. 24 dollar parking? and that was a cheap yet rare find.
The next morning was the same, but even longer red-light waits in traffic.
*I made it to the first presentation and stayed through the last. I would go into details about them, but I really don't want to. I can say this though. Rob Tannen, Hot Studio, Luis Arnal, Don Norman, and a bit of Laura Richardson = good stuff.
*Lunch Round-tables:
what a waste of time. I was so surprised how this turned out. My original table was essentially this: Some student brings a question to the table and everyone throws out answers and personal anecdotes. I swear I thought this was a research conference. It was utter crap. I signed up for something that was an interesting topic, and within seconds the table was spitting out ideas to help a student with a project.... I left within a few minutes to check out other tables.
old schoolers were talking money and deadlines, and some tables were basically a bunch of kids listening to Pops talk about how his firm does things. It was pretty ridiculous.
*Final speeches: were the better of the bunch.
Then off to chicago again to eat some damn good pizza and hotdogs, and whatnot.
oh.. the whatnot was the best.
I ended up dropping 36 bucks on 2 belgian waffles, topped with gelato, dutch whipped cream, and chocolate shavings, and some imported orange juice.
crazy good.
but not sure if its worth the money at this time.
overall trip +3
conference +2 could have been longer, with more workshops offered, and better quality of folks.
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