For those of you who didn't attend DMA•09 this year, here are some noteworthy highlights, and pictures, from those at RMI who did:
• Convention Center: San Diego was the most convention-friendly city the DMA has ever been to. It was a pleasure. Everything was so convenient. The airport was close to the convention center and there were so many restaurants within walking distance. (And the weather and scenery didn't suck either!)
• Hotel: The Hilton Bayfront hotel was convenient and beautiful with terrific views of the bay and Coronado. And free wi-fi, which is always a plus.
• Attendance: Everyone seemed to have low expectations for the show. Pre-show, initial attendance was expected to be 6,000 or so. Word was that actual hit 7-7,500 (not great, but not terrible either.)
There was a good buzz early Monday at the Convention Center and the general mood was upbeat.
• Exhibitors: There were very few traditional DM exhibitors this year. Many envelope, printers and online companies, which was nice to see.
• Outlook: Most everyone felt that things are starting to turn around. Some believe they will see improvements in their Fall and Winter campaigns.
For 2010, some mailers have a good sized mail plan in place while others are remaining more conservative to be safe. Many are cautiously expecting to be flat in 2010 and plan to revisit their projections mid year.
Direct marketing companies who have expanded from traditional list and direct mail services to integrate more online offerings - (caution, harmless plug) like RMI does with our own Interactive Services division - continue to discuss the importance of multichannel offerings, their opportunities and the proper business models to adhere to.
• Hot Topics: Interactive. Web Reengagement. No planned 2010 postal increase. John Greco greeting the crowd to "Tick Tick Boom" by the Hives. Martha Stewart preaching omnipresence...
All in all, it was a productive show. You can check out pictures of some of the happenings here.
So it's back to San Francisco next year! Apparently, the DMA left their heart there. "I left my heart in San Francisco..." (Get it? Alright, bad joke.)
Thanks for mentioning the NextMark future innovators award!
DMA09 easily surpassed my expectations, which honestly were low. Very strong attendance on Monday. Lots of opportunities to follow up on.
I thought San Diego was excellent. My rankings for convention cities:
1) New Orleans 2) San Diego 3) San Francisco
Chicago does not make the list because everything is a bus or cab ride. New York is good when it is at the Hilton, but the Javits is terrible for the same reason as Chicago.
Thanks for mentioning the NextMark future innovators award!
DMA09 easily surpassed my expectations, which honestly were low. Very strong attendance on Monday. Lots of opportunities to follow up on.
I thought San Diego was excellent. My rankings for convention cities:
1) New Orleans
2) San Diego
3) San Francisco
Chicago does not make the list because everything is a bus or cab ride. New York is good when it is at the Hilton, but the Javits is terrible for the same reason as Chicago.