I was speaking with a Swedish friend the other day who was telling me that it was smorgasbord season there. It’s fitting as we’re about to begin a new year, and with it a new smorgasbord season—the conference circuit. Only this smorgasbord is nowhere near as much fun as the original. At these smorgasbords the main dishes are baloney instead of pickled herring and gravlax.

OK. So all of these conferences aren’t bad. Just most. Let’s face it, they really don’t serve a purpose other than to make money for the organizers. There are some like the CES that are true events and demand our attention. Consumer Electronics Association CEO Gary Shapiro is one of the smartest and most effective trade group leaders in Washington, DC. In the annual Consumer Electronics Show, he’s built a must-attend event that makes real news. That’s why you see lots of hanger-on type wannabe so-called trade organizations try to attach themselves to the show and hold their own “parallel” mini-events under the CES banner. Gary is way too generous.

With this exception, and maybe a few others, the digital media conference circuit is nothing more that a big plate of steaming BS featuring the same old faces saying the same old things to the same attendees. They offer nothing new and enlightening or contribute anything of worth.

Conference organizers put out speaker calls and always end up with the same cast of characters, most of whom pay their own way to the event and don’t even get an honorarium. It is comprised of either “consultants” who want to build up their own brand or executives who are looking for their next job. For the most part, a speaking gig at a conference is nothing more than a nice warm ego bath.

I know. I sure did take advantage of the circuit a few years ago. And in all honesty ego did certainly play a part in my participation. There were other reasons for doing it at the time as it was part of an overall marketing plan. But I sure did take advantage of building my brand as well. I got to the point that I would do a 20 minute speech every time I opened the refrigerator door and the light came on.

But things have gotten totally out of control and boring on top of it. People who have nothing new to say spend a vast majority of their time going from conference to conference. They’re practically professional panelists. It’s gotten to the point that it’s beyond ego. It’s a psychosis.

The good news is that I have sworn them off. I doubt that there will be a reason for me to ever speak at one of these events again. I’m sure that comes as good news to many. But if there was an event that presented a new unique opportunity, well…

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