RAB2008: What did you think? (posted by George Hyde)

What an outstanding conference! This is one of the best conferences I've EVER attended in my career, and I was amazed at the amount of information that I learned. The CDMC courses were put together wonderfully and surpassed my expectations. The only problem is that it might be a hard act to follow next year in 2009! I'm still feeling the after-glow. PS: Oh yeah, it was a great feeling that the registration was up 15% - in an industry that's supposed to be flat. I'm GLAD that we're not abandoning ship on our industry, and the RAB is helping to keep it ALIVE AND WELL. Thank you.

RAB Bold Signals was a success. The individual sessions were of high quality, and the focus on the internet was productive. The best idea of the conference was Jerry
Lee's Guide to RAB.com. I miss the pictures of attendees being shown on the big screens. Finally, a motivational
speaker would make a great addition to the meeting.

The attendee registration in the exhibit hall was a great idea. I heard that Mr. Mark Levy was behind this concept. We had a change to discuss Media Monitors while many were
in line. Great show for us. One of the best by far! Great job by all involved in planning and excution.

John Selig

This was my first RAB conference.I felt priviledged to be with such knowledgeable and experienced people.
Every session was very informative and the best part for me was the practical side. The sessions gave me something
that I could use immediately.
Thanks to all

This was my first RAB. I was grateful to be sent, and stand to gain a great deal if only I can implement half of what I leanred. I would like to offer couple suggestions. I have been in radio sales, and management for over 18 years. During this time I have had many opportunities to turn to the RAB for help, and you have been there. Last week in Atlanta was no different. You assembled a team of great speakers, and trainers. Yet it occured to me on Wednesday during the panel discussion luncheon that too much time had been spent on the interactive aspect. I do not doubt for a minute the importance of the digital platform. I take issue only with how prominent this topic figured in the overall agenda. I went on the air with Doug Zanger after the final session to provide a more complete version of what I will write here. But in a nutshell, I felt as though with all those sessions devoted to digital, the implicit message to me was, the radio building is on fire, and to stay alive we must build a skybridge over to that other digital building. I can smell the smoke just like anyone else. I acknowledge the importance of innovating, and becoming more digigtally sensitized. But I believe there are two fatally-flawed aspects to this trajectory. #1 Are us broadcasters really the people that should be hiring code writers, designers, and digital sales staff to build this bridge? #2 Will we succeed in luring this largerly 40+ audience, (the majority P1 listeners) over said bridge to the digital world? I suggest we are not the right people to build the bridge, (far better for Google, and others already experienced in this domain), and I do not see my peer group, (40+) yearning to dive deeper into this digital morass. Not that we don't all tamper with, and find technology alluring, and exciting to differing extents, (I know I do), but not that much. Instead, I think we could do so much more in the building we presently occupy, even with smoke coming through the vents. I think we helped start the fire with sub-standard creative. Why was only one person there to address creative? Jeffrey Hedquist was great, and thank you for having him, and I know Dan ODay was there too, but he did not talk about ad writing so far as I know. It would have been great to see a number of sessions devoted to tracking response. RAEL is great, but I believe there is far more the RAB can do for us on this front. Again, I say all this with gratitude for what occupied the daily agenda. I wish I could have attended all the sessions. I loved Chris Anderson. The other keynotes were good as well. There are my thoughts. Thank you again for the insights gained from this conference.
Roger

Good Morning George,
Yes, i too greatly gained very useful knowledge from GA the RAB convention, and my evaluations were 'put in the box' before leaving. So there was 1 (most unusual RAB experience) that was explained on the form.
However, my writing this morning is to gain the email address for Don Pelham to request his excellent presentation for my staff. Believe it can be a key component for us at this time in getting into dealerships in Baltimore. (Tried Google w/ no results.)
Thanks and God Bless,
Nancy

Groundbreaking! The showmanship was superb but the content was "show-stopping." RAB's Dave Casper and John Potter really did their homework culling the right information construct a comprehensive course. Presenters Dave & Mike kept it moving. Guest hosts were impressive: Gordon Borrell (Borrell & Associates), Marijane Milton (Entercom) Kim Vasey (Mediaedge: cia), Deborah Esayian (Emmis Interactive), Andy Lipset (Ronning Lipset Radio), Mel Taylor (Taylor Media), Diane Warren (HD alliance), Ivan Braiker (Hip Cricket), Holland Cooke McVay Media), and Kurt Hanson (RAIN).