LeWeb3 photo album has been officially uploaded. One thing you will note more than anything else in this album, atypical to every other conference I have documented, is that the majority of shots are of food. Fabulous food.
I have never been to a conference — technology or other, not directly linked to the food and wine industry – that served such a broad spectrum of food and wine and presented it all so elegantly. Loic’s thank you and end-of-conference comments here.
Was part of it that it just Paris? Think again. Loic’s budget was what it was – 500 Euros per person compared to $3,000-4,500 for other web, Internet and general technology industry events in the states.
You hate to dig publicly for fear of never being invited back, but c’mon, let’s compare experiences. In San Francisco, we had boxed lunches and at one point, they even ran out. You hate to keep saying over and over again that the Americans lack style, elegance and that Je ne sais pas, but it’s true, so it is hard not to.
Part of it is because we as a “culture” don’t care about great design, fashion great food and great wine. Before you start coming up with a handful of exceptions, look at the states as a whole and then think again.
Anyway, enuffff said. Bravo Loic and team for putting together a conference at a reasonable price that did not just focus on the elites who could afford it, AND then surprising us with amazing food and drink. (wine and alcohol was served at lunch on both days). Also note that the event was pulled together in about six weeks.
I should also mention that their evening party consisted of French dancers, including a sexy Parisian who dragged me on stage for a Latin-like dance. A close one. Organizers might be sued for that one in the states, either that, or blog posts might go on about inappropriate behavior, or at least want to.
Forgive my rant. In this case, it feels necessary. The event was such a delight. And the dance floor was packed at an INDUSTRY EVENT. Packed. At every technology event or conference in the states, I have to drag people onto the floor and even then, there is no guarantee, so I often end up dancing alone. Why don’t we dance over here when in places like France, Spain, Brazil and even SE Asia, people dance in the streets?
One attendee ran around in a white suit and people wrote comments or drawings on his pants and jacket in colored markers. French women lured other attendees onto the dance floor, and pulled them on and off stage. Chocolates were passed around on silver trays. I learned that Jeff Clavier could dance up a storm and thank god, there was a venue for all of us to do so.
Photos below:
On Stage:
Below, on the rising stage yet to come into the public eye:
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
