Happy New Year

First of all Happy New Year.

I wonder if the sub-prime collapse and continued increases in oil prices will have a direct impact on events this year. The oil prices increases in particular are incremental and on their own, don't seem to me to be a huge factor(although I dread the visit of the heating oil truck)....

I read a recent article in Tradeshow Executive recently which said budgets to attend and exhibit are increasing slightly in 2008. Let's hope it's true.

I am also happy to hear my old friend at IDG World Expo, Doug Gold, has been able to monetize his new venture Mass Event Labs to CMP:

http://cmp.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1862

The concept of the 'unconference' is one I have been following for some time, glad it's taken off.

Here's to a good 2008!