Oh when the saints, go marching in, Oh when the saints go marching in … Is anyone else excited about returning to New Orleans for CTIA 2012? I am on board with this sooo much.
CTIA’s announcement that next year’s show would return to New Orleans couldn’t have come at a better time for me. I am still slogging through Mobile World Congress news and on the cusp of figuring out CTIA plans in Orlando. While I love Orlando as a vacation destination, it doesn’t seem all that conducive to work. Breakfast meetings next to Sleeping Beauty are a little out of the ordinary, to say the least. (I am trying to figure out a legitimate way to interview someone in the Harry Potter area of Universal Studios. Vegas is always open so you don’t have the same conflicts of interest there. Just kidding, boss. I am all work and no play.)
CTIA last held its spring trade show in New Orleans in 2005, mere months before Hurricane Katrina devastated the area. While watching Katrina coverage on TV, I flashed back to Motorola Inc.’s press conference at the show. After the announcement was over, people had to wait in line forever because it was raining so hard. The streets –and the taxi drivers – weren’t able to accommodate all the rain and all of the people. Back at home, Denver was under a blizzard and the RCR Wireless News staff had to drive home instead of flying. (Sometimes business travel is one big adventure after another.)
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Nevertheless, nearly every other aspect of the show in New Orleans is great. The city is compact so getting around is easy, the taxi drivers are laid back so even if you are running late to an event, they are quick to remind you life is not about high blood pressure. The food, the music, the bawdiness of Bourbon Street … what’s not to love?
On a more serious note, it is great to infuse the area with some of the serious economic dollars that come from a large trade show. Good move all around Largent and crew.