The “New Media Expos” Merge – And My Thoughts On The Merger

Posted by Paul Colligan on Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Update: Finally spoke with Rick (my delay, not his). Results are here.

Update: Rick from BlogWorld called to “answer the questions” and we’ll be chatting soon. I expect nothing but great things to come from this conversation.

You may or may not have heard by now but Tim Bourquin’s New Media Expo and Blog World & New Media Expo have merged.

I am concerned. Previous to finding out about the merger, I had shared my feelings about the event with the leadership at BlogWorld Expo (before merger news broke) and they have told me they “hear” me. We’ll see, and I promise to report accordingly. In all honestly, they seem like a nice group of people but performance has been a serious issue in the past.

A decent Google search will tell you of Blog World Expo’s past public problems. From numerous missing speakers to payments (claimed) not made, these guys have a very serious public relations problem to deal with. My personal dealings with them have been the source of frustration for both past events to the point of where I simply had no desire to attend. Great people were there and some business was done but, … I just don’t have the stomach for these thing.

From a pure execution standpoint, take a look at last year’s schedule for the Podcasting track (obviously, I don’t think this link will remain up long), there were more empty slots than filled ones. I can’t guess how that happened.

And this YouTube Video demonstrates some of the problems the site is having … (click through to the Blog World Expo video if you don’t see the video embedded).

Now, I use the word concern – but I want to make things very clear.

A) I will be at next year’s event and recommend that you attend as well. It is the only event now and not only do I have no choice but this is a “if you can’t beat them, join them” kinda thing. This is now the event to attend, regardless of execution. The New Media makers (text, audio, video, etc.) need to meet face to face on a regular basis.

B) I understand execution problems and I’m sure someone some day will make a video of my Blog’s failings (there are plenty). I just thought the issues in the video were humorous. And when someone does such a video, make sure you include the Web Address in the YouTube Video Page so I too can enjoy the Web traffic that it will bring.

C) I would LOVE to fill this Blog with stories of how the event is getting better and what they’re doing differently this year. I’ll be in contact with all involved and hope to do just that.

D) Vegas in October is at least somewhat cooler than Vegas in August.

See you in Vegas everyone …

  • http://www.arttrap.com Louis Trapani

    I am still digesting and processing the news. After not hearing any new dates for the New Media Expo for 2009, I feared there may not be one at all. So, I am happy to know it does have a future. I did not attend Blog World previously, but Paul raises some points that gives a pause of concern. I fear that podcasting may be diluted among the blogging aspect of the merged show.

    I plan on attending. Yes, October will be cooler in Vegas. If there were mistakes made in the past by Blog World, let’s hope they have learned from them and we can move forward on having a successful show for all interested parties.

    Cheers,
    Louis

  • http://www.NewMediaExpo.com Tim Bourquin

    Thanks for the post Paul. I don’t at all feel like this will dilute the podcasting side of of the show. I can’t think of a single podcaster that doesn’t either have a separate blog or uses blogging software to distribute and display their show.

    Rick and the BlogWorld team I know will take good care of the podcasters going forward.

    See you in October!

  • http://marketingfit.com Leesa Barnes

    Yeah, Las Vegas is HOT in August. It was stifling. It was like being in hell and I haven’t been there (just going off what my friends tell me ;)

    If the New Media Expo was the only event I would attend to hob nob with my peers in the industry, with BlogWorldExpo (BWE) taking over, it now means that BWE is the only event I would attend now.

    Running an event is never easy. When you deal with humans, anything can happen. I just hope the calibre of BWE is similar to what Tim puts on. Tim has spoiled me.

  • http://www.podcastingformedicalprofessionals.com Peter Beck

    Are Tim and Emile going to stay involved at the event level, in any capacity?

  • http://www.screencastsonline.com Don McAllister

    I have to admit that I was concerned when BlogWorld ’08 ran just a month or two after NME last year in the same venue. It struck me then that there was scope for horrendous duplication and a real feeling of the new media space becoming fractured.

    By combining the two events, it should be a positive move for New Media and just reinforces the stance that podcasting is just another channel in the New Media space and can’t be viewed in isolation.

    I’d just like to extend my thanks to Tim and Emile for the fantastic job they’ve done with the Expo in all it’s names over the past few years. They’ve all been well worth flying across the pond for.

    Previously, I’d not picked up on the PR problems of the BlogWorld organisers and that is a concern, but at least they’ve got the best part of 10 months to address that and move forward. Perhaps Tim and Emile can put them straight :-)

    See you in Vegas!

  • http://www.buildabetterblog.com Denise aka The Blog Squad

    I attended and presented on panels at both BWE 1 and 2. I have to say that though there were some issues, #2 this past year was head and shoulders an improvement over the first BWE. There continue to be communication issues with the organizers and there is a cliquey feel to the event, but it’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with others in the industry as well as meet followers, fans and those you follow. I learned from the sessions I attended and was grateful for the opportunity to meet with my colleagues and take the online relationships offline which has resulted in some fantastic opportunities.

    See you in Vegas.

    Blog on!

  • http://MedicCast.com Jamie Davis, the Podmedic

    Paul,

    I know we discussed some of our concerns about the possible direction of NME after last year’s show. I thought it was a great show and met my expectations but I was also caught up in the conflict between having two shows so close together that I had been invited to. I decided I was a podcaster who blogged rather than the other way around and chose NME.

    This year I had already decided to attend both and was planning my schedule to try and do so. Now I can have the best of both worlds. I hope Rick and the others at BWE take the very successful speaker track at NME and be able to integrate that into their own more sparse podcast track. I’ll be available. I hope that others who have been leaders within the podcast and new media space offer their services as well.

    Tim and Emil created one of the best professional conferences I have ever attended. They deserve the thanks of myself and many others for helping define an industry. It is up to BWE to move that vision forward in this new context.

    Jamie Davis, the Podmedic

  • http://AmateurTraveler.com Chris (Amateur Traveler travel podcast)

    My biggest concern is probably just that the new owners are not the Bourquins and I think they did a fine job with NME (and its various names) over the last 4 years. But times change and I am currently also planning on going. And Paul you are right, August in Las Vegas, ugh.

  • http://www.strugglingentrepreneur.com Fred Castaneda

    I have attended the NME (and its predecessor shows) for the past 3 years, and I was also in one of the booths with Jamie Davis. I echo the HOPES from everyone that the podcasting does not become an afterthought or the second-class citizenry amidst the audience who mainly blog and don’t podcast. I will join the podcast crowd from the old NME team members and invite them for a round of drinks (on me) in Vegas next year — and I hope that this group will include Tim and Emile, as they have been great to work with and professional in their management of events since I have known them (thanks for great shows, guys).
    (signed) The Struggling Entrepreneur

  • http://www.music4midnight.com Austin Beeman (Music for Midnight podcast)

    It has always seemed to me that blogs were ‘alternative journalism’ while podcast were ‘alternative entertainment industry.’ I will be very interested to see how these two sides can mix and share ideas. Hopefully it won’t break down in cliques.

    Anyway, I’m there…

  • http://www.cartawaysupply.com bruce christensen

    As newbie to the new media, we attended BlogWorld08 and had a great experience. We met great people who are helpful and sincere in helping to build Web 2.0.
    Since that time we have worked on plans and actions to enter this field in several directions.
    I am just starting to learn about the benefits of podcasting and look forward to the education.
    We want to be part of the crowed at the 09 event.

    Bruce
    Cart-Away