I just want to say I am somewhat involved in the background of the Parnassah Expo.
Its interesting to see how ppl view it on the front. Not sure why there is so much negativity out there!
Is improvement needed in certain areas? Absolutely. That is true for any business or organization that exists out there. Each venture is a learning experience. And being that Ive been involved, I've watched it improve based on learning experiences over the past three years.
It was created as a platform with potential for people to tap into. Its up to each person and business to take advantage of that or not. People that walk in and expect a $10million check to fall into their hands as they take danishes and paperclip holders from booths, may actually have that happen.... but not likely.
But those that go and hustle, and realize that the guy standing across the aisle might actually the person that gets them networked with the deal of their dreams, those are the guys that are matzliach.
The resources that the phenomenal organizers put together from conferences to panelists to be accessible in multiple industries - job seeking included, were a gold mine at your fingertips.
The CEO Panel and the Acelerator "shtark tank, allowed guys to speak to big money and ask advice, in a way that they otherwise would not have access to.
The planners and organizers did not sleep for weeks (some literally stayed up through the nights) to pull this event together on so many ends.
PR Hype, agreed. alot of its hype and thats not my thing, but again as an insider I can tell you that I get to see and hear about the touching stories that come in. It also has the potential to be massive, but many businesses that should be there havent cashed in unfortunately as of yet.
Wifi issues - Again as an insider I was privy to the details whereas the organizers paid thousands to get a top quality connection but the provider (an outside company) had system issues and came down for the second day to get it back up and running asap.
Unprofessionalism - I beg to differ. For those saying last year was a disaster, I beg to differ as well. last year was unorganized and had registration issues but was anything but a disaster. There isnt enough room here to tell you one after another how businesses literally took leaps from the expo.
On the job front last year, although many people were disappointed, there are people that came looking for one type of job, networked with businesses and were matzliach.
But steps were made to improve the registration process and although overall it was a different experience from my viewpoint, (aside from the messed up wifi sitch that made everyone frustrated Expo Staff alike) there are still steps that need to be taken to make it even better.
I must say though, that I felt that things were run and handled on a professional level ten or twenty times more so than previous years.
I spoke to people around the floor. Some were happy, some werent. I also realized that some ppl try to look for ways to help themselves and some people just like to look for ways to talk down about things. I spoke to blackberry - they were in seventh heaven. I spoke to a guy that had just sat down with Investors bank and got them to approve a loan for his small business. I watched 3 deals made on the accelerator connecting small businesses with partners and money that they otherwise did not have access to for their business to grow. I watched seminars with standing room only and ppl out the door, and ppl crowding around to talk to the presenters afterwards.
I watched ppl with booths that have services available (yes they hope to get clients- as any business service does.... not everything is about being free in this world) interacting with attendees and I know that more than one of the exhibitors even got business from the expo organizers themselves as soon as they became aware that the service exists! I watched Jews of every type huddle together with NO culture barriers in a way that must've made waves in Heaven.
So if you want to speculate about improvement needed in certain areas... I am definitely in agreement with you.
But the way ppl talk so negatively about it, did you even try to cash in on it? Did you go in with expectations to become an overnight millionaire? I just dont find it fair and I again as an insider have the right to beg to differ.
The expo has opportunity - if you dont want to take it, by all means stay home next year please. Nobody is forcing you to go. All I know, is that because I didnt stay home, and I got involved, I am now connected with Alot of good ppl to know. And when i need them, I call them. And Ive needed them, and Ive called them. Ill leave it at that.
