I had the pleasure of attending two industry events in relatively rapid succession:
BAI Beacon – 4-5 October, Atlanta
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BankAI – 16-17 October, Boston
Knowing that everyone’s time is scarce, and wanting to help you maximize it, I compare these two events in the spirit of attendees making smart choices and sponsors maximizing their event spend.
Event Positioning | …These valuable interactions will give you wide-ranging perspectives to stimulate new ideas and help you to think differently. And BAI Beacon’s fast-paced, focused agenda will help you maximize your learning and minimize your time away from the office. You’ll come away informed, connected and energized—for success in 2018 and beyond. | …will bring AI pioneers and the newbies together so that all can collaborate, learn and bring this technology to life in the most intelligent way. |
Relative size | ·Small-to-medium | ·Small |
Overall tenor | ·All show, no go. Lots of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, & Doubt) | ·Practical, illuminating |
Degree of focus | ·Largely without focus in an apparent attempt to garner broad appeal | ·Laser focused on AI |
Content |
·Many concurrent sessions to manage ·Much vendor-driven content ·Interesting, but questionably relevant keynote |
·Combination of straight talk from early-adopter banks and rapid-fire vendor demo sessions. ·Highly relevant and useful keynote |
Vendor-to-bank ratio | ·High | ·Not as high |
Vendor participation | ·35 | ·23 focused on AI |
Perceived booth traffic | ·Low | ·High |
Venue |
·Too big for a small conf. ·Improved upon last year’s sound problem | ·Superb, but a bit crowded |
Food & Drink | ·Best in BAI’s history | ·Better still |
