Well the predictions of those that said that this would be a weather disaster were way off the mark [although I have yet to punch out] and the weather - such as it was way worse in the UK than here.
Travel was no worse than some other locations. A flight connection is a flight connection and lots of people have to endure those for every edition of HAI.
But the event is sick.
As noted by others above lots of people did not make the journey and the footfall was well down. There will be a ready market in event specific bags ... you just take as many as you want... no need for a tear off slip of paper here.... We can only hope that the 'right' people were here for the exhibitors..... The books and guides are pulp.....
For they, the exhibitors may well not be happy.
It has come to light that the whole vast hall was given free to HAI and I have come across no-one that disputes that claim. But from the depths of the exhibitors have been a claim that rates this year are 10% up on last year. That may be a one off but the claim is floating out there. Where is there an inflation rate of 10%?
So on the basis of claim and rumour it seems that HAI did not pass on any of their windfall to their members.
But in the end what matters is whether good business was done.
And, even in these days of oil recession, it seems they did do good business .... so if they did indeed get it wrong ... this will all be forgotten and HAI forgiven.
As for the people of Louisville? First class. Welcoming and friendly.