Live from Ad:tech San Francisco

By B.L. Ochman There are 9000 people registered for ad:tech, which resembles the glory days of Internet World, minus the circus atmosphere. Nothing earth shattering to report from any session I've attended, but the hallway connecctions -- the best thing about these things anyway -- is plentiful and fun.

San Francisco's gorgeous Moscone Center puts New York's Javitts Convention Cener to shame. (But that wouldn't take much.)

I've talked with Pete Blackshaw. ClickZ exec editor Rebecca Leib, (the Google ad was a cool idea,) Henry Copeland, Steve Hall, David Berkowitz, and lots people I always hope to catch up with at shows.

There are huge numbers of attendees from Japan, Europe and South America, giving this show a global flavor generally. sadly, absent from most.

You can judge the quality of shows by the hors d'oeuvres at the receptions. In the bad old days after the crash, you'd get popcorn and pretzels. We're getting tasty pastas, crab cakes, and open bars. No buckets of shrimp like the good old days yet, so the industry still has a way to go.

There were lots of parties last night, and Steve Hall has dutifully covered them in adrants. Thanks, but I just don't do screaming-over- the-music conversations. And I don't find that people get more interesting as they drink. I went to see the sea lions at Fisherman's Wharf. Sawa hundred or more of them settling in for the night. What a treat.

I'm going to catch one more session and head for the airport.

So sorry I drifted away yesterday after the Ad-Tech reception. Took a red-eye back to Cincinnati. Great to finally meet you. Keep me posted on your latest blog breakthroughs.

Sea lions?! What a great way to spend the evening after a full day of being 'on', networking and learning. Good choice!

You're right about being "on" all day. I wished I knew a place to go swing dancing in San Francisco. That's how I usually shed the day.