Some things I loved:

-    No Panels: Have you noticed that unless there is a confrontation or someone trips coming on or off stage, panels are almost always talked about during “networking” breaks as being fairly useless?  Most panelists don’t want to give anything away to their professional rivals (who are in the audience and on the panel).  And, let’s face it, most people want to spend more than 1/5 of 45 minutes talking.  (And, if they’re worthwhile, I’d like to hear them for more than 9 minutes, too.)  The CPC conference had no panels, only speakers.  I don’t know if it worked as a perfect alternative to the standard, but I applaud them for trying it.

-    No Keynote During Lunch: I maybe, maybe, maybe want to hear a short, fun, interesting speech/sermon during coffee/dessert.  I definitely don’t want to sit – and eat – quietly during what is usually boring masturbation.  Unless you’re a magazine editor with a desire to interview Dov Charney, you probably don’t want to watch anyone masturbate, especially during a meal.  I’d rather chat over lunch.  And I totally did.

Some things I hated:

-    This year is the conference’s first year:  As such, it’s not that well-organized.  The venue wasn’t great…etc/etc/etc.  This is basically what I like to call the dry chicken problem.  Attendees at a conference or summit will remember these little things that are, unsuitable, suitable, mediocre, or great.  If it’s anything but great, someone will complain.  I know because I’m that guy.  I’m sure next year will be better.

-    Some of the speakers/sessions were completely inane and showed almost no understanding of the audience:  Several of the speakers included “how does this apply to custom content” slides.  I think this is a two-fold problem:

o    Many people don’t know about/understand custom publishing, speakers included.

o    The speakers were poorly prepped for the event.  I think this is, again, a first-year problem.

-    The “Ask A Ninja” session:  Ok.  I actually really enjoyed this session because Kent Nichols is really funny and engaging.  He played funny clips.  Really funny clips.  And he was able to keep everyone’s attention.  But I didn’t learn anything.  I felt like I was watching YouTube: I have an overriding compulsion to do so, I love it while I’m doing it, but I feel guilty afterwards.  (I guess this one doesn’t belong in the “hate” section, but in some section that doesn’t exist.  Please write into maggrabbag@gmail.com to suggest new sections for this post if you feel so compelled.)

Something I wasn’t sure about:

-    Several of the speakers were consultants that were just handed a room full of captive, potential clients to sell to:  And they did.  But these were the very best sessions.  These speakers were among the most engaging, and they were able to give the audience legitimate business idea/ways to make more money.  Yes, many of these ways involve hiring the consultant.  But I really learned something during these sessions.  And because these speakers had something to gain, they were prepared and knew the audience.  When I talk to conference organizers, they hate the idea of having consultants speak or appear on panels.  In this case, it worked out pretty well.

More on some of the individual sessions later.