Work takes me back to the vapid hot tar pit that is Vegas. However, I am actually really psyched to go this year. Sparkpr is representing 5 companies that are going, including Trolltech, Skydeck, EA Mobile, Frengo and doubleTwist. The range of news we are announcing is actually interesting to the press attending, so I have something like 11 meetings to manage with my execs. This will keep me bopping around the press room and trade show floor quite a bit, but I will get to see lots of folks I know and really like having real “in the flesh” encounters with at these things. Ours is such an email focused relationship, ya know. The Press and PR chix.
And of course, there are the many chances for cocktails. Open bar parties, schmoozy receptions, and simply hooking up for that last business meeting of the day usually centers around the ability to grab a drink. It is expensed and such a necessary tonic (literally) when one must be in this town.
One of the best cocktaily times I ever had at a trade show was when CTIA was held in New Orleans, probably in 2004. Now this was a guaranteed good time. Everyone is automatically “looser” when in the Big Easy, get it. That really helps folks get in a better mood for doing business. Plus the Hurricanes.
Anyway, we had been at a corporate networky party at some balcony bar on Bourbon Street. After doing the required two hour stint, many of us decided to abort and catch a cooler, quieter scene elsewhere. The group consisted of about 10 Openwavers and their assorted peeps. We ended up in a very stylish hotel bar that was all white. Gorgeous. The champagne selection on the wine list was exquisite. One of the yuppie boys we were with got all verklempt when he spotted his fave champagne and sprang for a bottle. We all had a very nice snort in our flutes. Then he bought another. Spirits were high, then.
This kid was a nice mix of wickedly intelligent but reluctantly remorseful. He liked that I smelled his dark side and was actually asking about it. Total stranger who soon let us inner Goth side out. Suddenly all the girls were flirting with all the boys and everyone seemed to be having a grand time. A few of us ended up the night at 5am or so having beignets at Cafe du Monde as the night mist floated thru the streets. Epic! I wish this CTIA thing was back in N’awlins.
