At today’s high-tech conferences, attendees can expect a carnival atmosphere that has more in common with the Cannes Film Festival than it does with the Silicon Valley.
These events are usually parties of special magnificence: keynote speakers range from high-profile media personalities to presidential candidates; the headline entertainers can be big names, such as Elton John and U2; and, of course, there will be the buzz and pageantry of endless booth vendor carnival barkers out jockey each other for the attention of attendees by relying on old tricks ranging from seductive booth sirens to ridiculous swag giveaways.