Jul08
18
Report Back From Internetix Cape Town
This is a little late in coming but I’d like to take a moment to share my experience of Internet Solution’s Internetix event in Cape Town with you.
I was invited to speak at both events (Jo’burg is still to come, Cape Town was held yesterday) on the subject of Harnessing the Social Web. To be dreadfully honest I wasn’t expecting much - I’ve become so disillusioned about the local conferencing scene after a series of negative experiences that I normally anticipate the worst.
This was distinctly different. From the pre-conference dinner at Wang Thai and the excellent accommodation at Lagoon Beach Hotel in Milnerton (also the venue for the conference) to the behind-the-scenes technicalities and not least, the contagious enthusiasm of all the IS staff I got to meet - everything was pleasantly surprising.
The speakers were also very good, judging by the responses of the more than three hundred attendees, with Ronnie Apteker (founder of IS) being a highlight for me. Other speakers are summarised at Christine and Bev’s blogs, and this site too (not sure what the name of the author is, but apparently I made them gasp?)…
I’m really looking forward to the Jozi event, happening this coming week. If it’s anything like Cape Town was it’ll be a blast - credit to the IS team for pulling of a truly world class event.
I’ve been retained by Internet Solutions’s advertising agency to help promote their new “Secure Card”, & to entertain the delegates (of course!) during the lunch time. Stick around this time, I just missed you in Cape Town yesterday!
I was quite impressed by the spectrum of delegates - great to see some of the SA Tweeters & bloggers there.
I’ll be there earlier on Tuesday, so I hope to be in time for your presentation.
Best wishes,
- Marcel
The funny thing is that I can’t remember what made me gasp. If Marcel knows any hypnotists who can get it out of me, it would be appreciated.
What is quite ironic is the fact that none of these Web-related talks used the media they were preaching about, to extend their reach. Overseas all the big web related conferences place their talks online after the event; in audio or video form. It is definitely something they should look into for next year.