Concepts 2011 is a wrap! We relaxed for a couple days and now begin the planning process for next year's event. One of the tools we use to plan is the conference evaluations. We pour over these evals so we can get in the heads of the attendees. What can we do better, different, improved? We consider every comment, every suggestion from topics to room temperature (although there isn't much we can do about room temperature - one year I swear I saw snowflakes in the room).

Many of you may have noticed the absence of solution provider (vendor) exhibit booths last week. The reason we decided to go without booths was because we were seeing a trend away from exhibiting and toward sponsoring. However, the attendees spoke loudly and clearly that they really MISSED the exhibit booths. The evals said that for many of our attendees, this is a wonderful shopping and networking opportunity, and the booths make it easy for solution providers to be found.

This ah-ha moment was a surprise and a welcome one, because bringing the booths back is something we can do to improve the attendee experience.

It should also be a huge wake-up call to all the Solution Providers out there - our attendees really want to talk to you and listen to what you have to offer. Our attendees are proactive! That is great news for you, Solution Providers!