Agreed on all accounts.
1. It is nice and convenient with the location, especially if you are in Paradise Tower.
It is awesome to be able to just come down from your room, and bam. You are right in the middle of the action. Whether meetings, or seminars. If you want/need to go back up to you room for anything, you are at the elevators in 2 seconds.
2. There are more parties and 'after hours' events offered.
The past few Internext shows had very few parties IMHO compared to years past. The quality of the after hour events have been better this far as well.
3. Quality of seminars is better.
In years past, it was the same dudes talking about the same bullshit. Typically it was a lot of them talking at you selling their product under the 'guise of some other industry topic. It's nice to see a refreshing change of topics and speakers where you actually looking forward to attending.
4. Meet n Greet
I remember a few years back when the 'show floor' for lack of better terms was little more than processing companies. I want to say that was the last year they were at the Palms. You walked in and for the most part it was all billing companies with booths. Really sad compared to years past.
While there are still plenty of people looking for new opportunities and deals, you also felt more optimistic about the industry. People's moods were better, and no matter who you talked to they had a 'bright spot' to share. Much different then the past few years. It seems that most of those people/company left have accepted this industry has changed, and are doing what is needed to adapt.
Great show thus far, bravo to those who spent the hours and time putting it together. If they can pull off the Miami show with the same luster of old, and quality of this one. It's looking good for 2012.
