beyond-the-booth. trade show booths

Las Vegas: AUVSI

Aug. 6-9, 2012. The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems (AUVSI) is the world’s largest nonprofit organization devoted exclusively to advancing the unmanned systems and robotics community. AUVSI’s nearly 7,000 members worldwide came from government organizations, industry and academia. With more than 8,000 attendees and 500+ exhibitors from more than 40 countries, AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems North America is recognized as the leading event for the unmanned systems marketplace. the premier forum for reviewing, assessing and discussing the current state of the unmanned systems market. The event brought together the key leaders and decision-makers in the industry. Officials from government and user organizations around the world attend and participate in the symposium program. A move to make this a robots-only event was roundly defeated…
Editor’s Note: Check out some pictures we snapped while at AUVSI including our speaker’s corner.

Orlando: IPCPR

Aug. 2-6, 2012. IPCPR stands for the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association. The IPCPR is the oldest, largest and most active trade association representing and assisting premium retail tobacconists and their suppliers, so it covers everything from Big Tobacco to small tobacco. The IPCPR is a not-for-profit trade association organized as the advocate for the independent retail tobacconist and recognized (at least by the pro-tobacco lobby) as the “Voice of Authority and Reason” on premium tobacco related issues. IPCPR provides its members with assistance to fight “draconian and onerous tobacco legislation”, and brings retailers and manufacturers together in mutually advantageous business relationships. As someone once said philosophically, “A woman is only a woman, but a good cigar is a smoke”….

Las Vegas: Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI 2012)

AUVSI is more than just drones. It’s also bomb detectors, spy planes, detection devices, black ops people & various other Orwellian inspired vehicles. Yes it only took 28 years to achieve Orwell’s 1984. And what better place to show off these state of the art machines but in Las Vegas, 50ish miles from the still not spoken of Area 51. Yes it is a real place. I have blurry pics of when we were chased away by some very stern MPs a few years ago. Anyway, as part of entire convention floor, Beyond The Booth had our own presentation area. Now THAT is very SCARY. We’ll have a complete update next week but for now here are a few pictures we snapped on the cell phone as cameras are not allowed.

: Beyond The Booth Presentation

: Setting up for session 2 Beyond the Booth

: Unmanned Surveillance plane

: Close up of Unmanned Surveillance plane

: Mini Unmanned chopper

: Medium sized Unmanned chopper

: Ground Rover for bomb detection

: Ground bot Bomb Detection

: Unmanned supply carrier

: Quad Motor craft- unmanned

: Roomba for bombs

: Unknown unmanned vehicle

: Drone (actual size)

: Code Pink Protest Mandalay Bay Convention Center

St. Louis: WEC 12 (Meeting Planners International – World Education Congress)

: Macy’s welcomes MPI WEC to Stl Louis

: The 1st turned down chocolate was in St.Louis

: Gotta love a stadium named for beer Busch Stadium STL

: Opening session inside Busch Stadium

: Las Vegas CVA In the House

: What happens at WEC12 stays at WEC12

San Diego: SDCC 2012 (ComicCon)

SDCC Preview Night Crowd

There can be only one: Let the crowds begin.
For the West Coast, it’s San Diego Comic Con. I think an upstart that has been endorsed by the infamous & timeless Stan Lee, Comikaze Con will eventually rival it because it is in LA so it is a larger venue than the San Diego Convention center and there are more choices for hotels. Also the movie studios preview their upcoming attractions at SDCC but could save a pile of cash by switching to the LA venue. It has long been rumored that SDCC would be relocating to Anaheim, LA or even Las Vegas (imagine the furries in 117 degree Las Vegas July) but with Comikaze being endorsed by both Stan Lee and Marvel, it is the 1st to actually be a viable option. Until then, fan boys & girls will keep heading to San Diego to indulge themselves in all things MARVELous.