One of the reasons we got into the conference business was our dissatisfaction with the standard scientific conferences. From EuroFE through TNT 2004 we have tried to get away from cookie cutter conferences, and the idea for the World Nano-Economic Congress was conceived in the basement of a hotel in downtown Los Angeles where one particularly miserable nanotechnology event was taking place.
Fortunately, many of the poor nanotechnology conferences let’s google a few folks involved with nanotechnology, a whole bunch of people who arent, and charge a thousand bucks for people to watch- didnt survive. Through the years Ive sat through mind numbing panels where venture capitalists who couldnt tell a billion dollar company from a nanobot have discussed how over hyped nanotechnology is. Ive seen people present detailed scientific results to bamboozled audiences at investing conferences, and memorably, a bunch of sharp suited VCs getting run out of a scientific conference. While it all adds to lifes rich tapestry, I probably have better things to do with my time and money.
So what makes a good conference, one I would pay to attend? For a start, you need focus. I dont want to pay to spend a few days in a hotel next to ground zero with 200 lawyers, or listening to the same faces giving the same talks as last year and the year before (will VCs put a billion dollars into nanotechnology this year?). Secondly I want debate. Theres nothing worse than an entire panel in smug agreement about the trillions of dollars to be made out of nanotechnology. Most of all, I want to go home knowing something new, something that is relevant to, and will help, my business. That could be contacts; it could be science; or it could be a new spin on an application. But it has to be something I can use, and something I cant get over the web or by making a phone call.
Fortunately some of the better events have survived. TNT is now in its 5th year as Europes largest nanoscience (note the distinction) conference, the NSTI Nanotechnology Conference goes from strength to strength, and NanoTrends, our German event will be having its second birthday in Munich at the end of May. NanoTrends is a particularly special conference for me, drawing on all our bad experiences to ensure that the event is fresh, focussed and above all relevant. Not just to me, but to everyone who attends.