...and I'm back, but busy doing things around the house that weren't happening because of the conference. Based on a discussion with Jim Muncy, one of the people who helped draft the new legislation (and Congressman Rohrabacher's former staffer on space issues), I've got some further thoughts on this post.

[Monday morning update]

I'm asked in comments how the conference was. Not as good as previous years, in terms of either presentations or attendance--it had the look'n'feel of being thrown together at the last minute (which is, unfortunately, often a result of being put on by a volunteer organization). I'd hoped to see some people who ended up not attending, but it was worthwhile nonetheless. There was a disappointing panel of SF writers toward the end on Saturday that I'll blog about a little later (or perhaps even write a column about).

I missed the Saturday evening partying due to another engagement in Hollywood (an event at which, if anyone didn't have a good time, they didn't deserve to, and thanks to Brian Linse for his unending and gracious hospitality). But there were sufficiently few people at the conference that I managed to talk to everyone there that I had/wanted to anyway.

However, because I was schmoozing in the hallway at one point (actually, at many points--it's the main reason I attend these things--I rarely hear anything of which I'm not already aware, one way or another) I did miss the one bit of news to come out of it--a new X-Prize contender. Fortunately Jeff Foust, who was also in attendance, didn't, and he's already written up the story.

So? So? How was it? :-)

I'd appreciate hearing about what you (and others) would like to see in future events.

I'd have liked to see more, higher-powered speakers (e.g., General Worden was on the program on line, but the session that he was supposed to be in seemed to disappear completely). I'm surprised that he couldn't have been procured, since he works just down the street, unless he was TDY somewhere. I was also hoping to see Elon Musk (who also is just down the street), and while it may not be possible, it would have been great to get Jeff Bezos, to find out what he's up to, to the degree that he's willing to disclose. The space dotcommers are the most important thing going right now (in my opinion) and the only one in attendance was John Carmack.

I'd have liked to see less of folks like Gene Meyers (though he's a very nice man), and in general it would be nice to see a little more filtering going on in terms of who is and isn't credible.

I'd have liked to see a little more focus to each session, and while it's frustrating to sometimes miss out due to conflicts, it would have been more worthwhile to have a second track. It doesn't have to get ridiculous, as the ISDC does, but there were plenty of times I'd wished that I had other options--one-size fits all doesn't work that well (it does for the Space Access Conference, because that conference is generally pretty focused to start with).

I'd have liked to see a hospitality suite or two on Friday night, and of course, I hope that you can get attendance up, because as I said, what I primarily attend for is to network.

We did try to get a couple of the people you mentioned, but plans fell through or financing wasn't there. I am also a believer in a refereeing process for deciding who can get behind the podium and who can't. If the one I have in mind gets used, though, it is very unlikely that we will have multiple tracks. It is more likely we would open a poster sessions room for those who don't make that cut.

Our feelings this year boiled down to one problem. There is a lot going on and the people doing it are real busy making it all happen. Some of them are real close, so we expect a few honest-to-goodness accomplishments by this time next year. (Even my own friends had to squeeze the conference in between meetings with customers with the money to finance projects.)

On hospitality and exhibit suites, let me know if you know anyone willing to sponsor them next time. We ran short of cash this time, or we would have done it Friday night. We did offer one Saturday night after the banquet, but I understand why you weren't there. 8)