Ya, I remember TK07 – pretty difficult. Unfortunately TK08 had a rocky venue change, which wasn’t their fault. But they did a fabulous job in pulling that part off. I was impressed.

Not surprised the sessions are great. There are some great people there.

The internet signal is weak and reliable internet access would surely enhance the conference experience. The conference organizers are looking at trying to get the RIO to package internet access with room bookings for next year to help fill the conference room block, and should help take care of some of the issues next year.

I was at Techknowledge 2007 at the Riviera and the venue at the Rio is by far superior. The rooms are large, the presentation equipment works, and there are two learning labs that have 20+ computers that are wired that conference participants can use as well as the ASTD job bank. The conference at the Riviera was riddled with technical problems.

Techknowledge is a very good conference in my estimation but can be improved. The educational sessions that I have attended all had excellent presenters with engaging presentations.

Come out next year, I am sure the kinks will be ironed out.

1) More of a focus for those interested in Web 2.0 for those who want it, and for those who don’t they can ignore it.

2) There is a focus on basics. But in talking with other conference presenters, when we try to go deeper we wind up having to go back to the beginning. Right when we think everyone is ready to take a step forward we find out there are many (if not most) who are trying to grasp it for the first time.

But, then again, there are those who need the next level – “I get it on a philosophical level, but what do I do now and how do I put it into practice?”

It is this second stage that we are SLOWLY moving toward. I wish it were more quickly.

On your other point, I suggest that there is far too much emphasis on social, collaborative, and Web 2.0 technologies. Maybe your suggestion for a conference within a conference is a good idea. Provide a focus on those technologies for those that want it – for the whole or part of a conference. But then focus on other aspects, for those who don’t.

Maybe my bias here, is that too many sessions are still too focused on entry level nature of Web 2.0 technology; as they have been for the last three years. Maybe my gripe is that there needs to be more intermediate and advanced tracks for even Web 2.0.

Finally, I will say that ASTD just does not grasp using technology to support and expand conferences. One of the worst attempts I have seen was at the Workforce Innovations Conference in 2008. Good idea – poorly executed.