Attending Expo! Expo!

I am attending Expo! Expo! in Atlanta for the first time(kind of odd considering I've been in the business for 18 years).

It's kind of funny as to why I haven't. DCI(my first 11 years in the business) didn't allow any employees attend any industry events because they were afraid staff would be poached. When I was at IDG, we went to SISO but not Expo! Expo!. In the last four years, I have either been too busy to go, or I didn't want to go to the particular venue, or something else. This year I planned to go in July around the time I went to SISO.

I had been told that Expo! Expo! is a 'sea' of people and difficult to navigate. My impressions on the first day is somewhat different, as I was invited to the 'first timers' brunch where I got an opportunity to meet folks, then we broke up into groups. I had a chance to talk about my 'The Five Steps for Long Term Social Media Success" concept which went over very well within the group. Seems like people within events are struggling with putting together a long term plan which can convince their bosses that the investment is worth it.

So far, so good but I have great expectations....