I just don't understand why this has to be a competition?
I have been to an IMSC conference and am considering going again this year. There were things I did and did not like about it. The discussions for me tended to be either OMG I can't wait for this or OMG is that a mattress I spot over in the corner let me take a nap now. I, however, was not really there for those. I was there to meet schedulers and get my name and face in front of MSCs. I have done a tremendous amount of work for companies that I interacted with there over the past year. Many times over the cost and it was well worth it. However, the number of companies represented was significantly smaller than I expected. Yes I'm sure that was my fault for having higher expectations, but I was hoping for 30-40 companies being represented and there was less than 10. I am still considering going this year because a, it's in Vegas and I have 2 free nights that can be used during the conference and I don't pay for air fare, b, perhaps there will be other companies there, c, I can interact with the schedulers and shoppers I met last year.
I would also like to go to ShopperFest and probably would this year if it weren't during a time my schedule is probably going to be a little tight. And I might still try to find a way. I imagine, but could be wrong, that the companies represented at ShopperFest will most likely be different than the ones represented at IMSC. And I expect there will be more of them. Face time with schedulers and MSCs is what I'm interested in. Panels, classes, discussions, and meeting other shoppers is secondary.
I think for other people there are other factors. Location definitely. Time. And what they want to get out of the conference.
I would absolutely love to see a list of which companies will be present at each conference. I would also love if someone who had been to both could give a report on both. Not which they liked better, but what they found the strengths and weaknesses of each one was.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind