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Question: Has anyone been to CRS in Nashville?

C

cleavo

Thinking about going in '08, but seems like a major expense!!! Has anyone been there before? Can you give me an idea of what to expect? I mean, I know what their press release says; I'm looking for first-hand accounts from radio folks...

TIA,

Cleavo
 
Many times.

Save your money.

It's basically three days of parties and record promotion. There's a few "seminars" that turn into a lively debate, but nothing ever gets resolved and you will not likely come away with any knowledge you didn't have before or couldn't get elsewhere. And unless you're on a reporting panel, you won't even get free drinks from the record reps.
 
Good party that's tax deductible. Don't let CC know that's it party, they'll cut it from the budget. Oh, they've already done that. Uh - never mind.
 
USED to be fun. The panels are more like self congradulatory moments from blow hards. Guys dont' know that many secrets to share anyway. Record companies, with huge sales declines, aren't popping expenses like they used to. And they are focusing more on the internet and digital relationships. The guys I know at Sony/BMG, the biggest act in town, talk quietly about how radio doesn't have the impact it used to (pay for play from CC didn't help credibility) and one too many pd/md's gave the impression too often they can get a cut on. They know that it's consultants, national PD's and other criteria that determine adds and spins. The record company's buy spin records and know more about your airplay than you do. Their a--kissing is now strategically planned and reasoned vs a "oh you're in radio, charge it to me" mentality.
Save your money, go to Dollywood, enjoy a show, and maybe Lee Greenwood will cut you a liner just because he's glad somebody noticed him
 
I would go as an exhibitor. It was a good deal for me as an imaging producer, and I usuall y made quite a few contacts. We would pay a good rate, get a booth, and FOUR badges that allowed us into the exhibit hall to baby site our booth with two "associates" These badges also allowed us into certain functions and "lobby parties" etc.

This year they upped the rate, and reduced us to TWO badges..citing too large a crowd in the exhibit area. Scuse me, but isn't that the point? Crowds? Hmm..okay, so they featured a couple record company "new faces" and unknowns, and this year fewer people are attending..Why am I paying more for fewer attendees to browse my wares?

Bought some new equipment to make my current clients sound better..same tax deduction, and I can depreciate it..The convention is depreciated from the git-go
 
Cleavo:

What would be your point in going? What expectations would you have/what would make it worth it for you?

Let's try it from that angle. I've been several times...it's not what it used to be, but...not necessarily a waste of money, in my opinion...
 
a1avet said:
Cleavo:

What would be your point in going? What expectations would you have/what would make it worth it for you?

Let's try it from that angle. I've been several times...it's not what it used to be, but...not necessarily a waste of money, in my opinion...
Click to expand...
1. Networking - would love to make contacts with other Radio decision makers, see what's happening with the genre and the industry at large.
2. Networking - would love to make contacts with other Radio decision makers and pimp out my VTing, imaging, legends show, web design, etc skills.
3. Networking - would love to make contacts with other Radio decision makers who might be looking for full-time employees (particularly in the Central Florida area).
4. It sounds like fun, too!

(not necessarily in that order) 8)
 
cleavo said:
1. Networking - would love to make contacts with other Radio decision makers, see what's happening with the genre and the industry at large.
2. Networking - would love to make contacts with other Radio decision makers and pimp out my VTing, imaging, legends show, web design, etc skills.
3. Networking - would love to make contacts with other Radio decision makers who might be looking for full-time employees (particularly in the Central Florida area).
4. It sounds like fun, too!
Click to expand...

In order of feasability: 4, 1, 3, 2.

4 - Free booze is harder to come by than it used to be...but Nashville nights downtown ARE fun even if no one is wining and dining you.
1 - Seminars will help there
3 - There was a networking mixer last year...not sure if it is on the agenda for this year, but...you have to be REALLY outgoing to get this done. They're not going to come up to you...if you spend the whole week staring at name badges and aren't afraid to interrupt someone's conversation to stick a resume in their hand...then you might be successful.
2 - Waste of time. The sources for these kinds of services are well-known, and they don't waste their money (anymore) exhibiting at CRS. The last few years, with a FEW exceptions, unless you have a really unique product (last year's nicotine hand gel, for example) people will see you as a loser. =(

Hope that helps.
 
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