Simarprit’s Weblog

Book Expo America 2008 L.A. – A Review May 30, 2008

There are authors, there are books, and then there is me. I must be the third most seen and noticed in this largely “white American” show.  So what is this turban doing amongst all this? MapXL Inc, the holding arm of Compare infobase for mapping business in the US decided to participate in this Book Expo; Mani felt that my being “Local” could be of “help.” I would wait for the verdict.

I drove south from San Jose on I-5 and covered the distance in 6 hours with three breaks. The journey was fine, and the Garmin Nuvi knew where I had to go, exactly.

1. Pre arrangements and communications – 9/10
2. Official hotel selection – 9/10
3. Website: 9/10
4. Shuttle service to the venue 10/10
5. Information in rooms: 0/10
6. Exhibition venue and guidance: 6/10 – technlogy is absent, signage is inadequate, the exhibition – it looks like hasn’t grown.
7. Cooling: 8/10, Could have been a bit cooler
8. Particpants :10/10 you name it and the publisher is there
9. Authors: 9/10 Very Good book signing activity
10. Walking area: 9/10 Plenty
11. Food: 9/10 Plenty
12. Restrooms: 4/10 -No good

After checking with a few regulars, I conclude there is a significant recession rub-off. High gas prices have also contributed in lesser footfalls.

I am glad we had prefixed appointments before coming here.