IMSTA Festa in NYC Sept.7th

[Examigan]

Anyone going to this event? Looks interesting!
https://imsta.org/2019_nyc.php

"Get up close and personal with some of your favourite brands and music software companies at this year's IMSTA FESTA. Exhibitors will be bringing their latest software and products for our attendees to demo and try out."

[telecode]

i go to the one in toronto every year. its really just a small exhibitor fest. a handful of speakers but most are not very good.

https://imsta.org/2019_TO.php#section-topline-3

[yellowmix]

I went last year, yeah its a software exhibition. There were some "classes" that were basically promos for a particular product, nothing that isn't already available on YouTube. There were talented folk presenting stuff, but it was more of a networking value than learning for me. And it was packed, the venue was too small and cramped for the number of people, not everyone could get into the classrooms. There's an overbearing anti piracy bend to it all (they make people sign a pledge :eye roll:) but if you've never been may as well.

AES is coming in October and has far better seminars.

[elxsound]

I went many years ago, also at the SAE institute. It wasn’t too bad when I went in terms of crowds, but yeah it was all product demos and networking. I had no need for the product demos and not looking for networking so haven’t gone back.

Still would be very cool to see if you are just starting out or If you are looking to make some connections with real people in the industry.

[Examigan]

For those who have attended one of these:
Do they ever have any of the more notable people from each company such as Urs or Viktor from u-he, Bulent, Xavier (XILS lab) or anyone else I may know?

[elxsound]

The lone year I went, there weren’t as many smaller companies like that... more big names with their respective educators who provide demonstrations. Rob Papen was there demonstrating RP delay before its release which was nice (except that it was a buggy mess when released), but it was good to see a small company there.

That was almost 10 years ago, so maybe a lot has changed?

[yellowmix]

No, no developer sent anyone integral like that. It was mostly reps. Mitch Thomas from Soundtoys was the most recognizable one stuck in a small office (I don't see them listed this year). Bitwig rep was one of their main reps if not the main North American rep. U-He got this talented local area musician who was playing keyboards in a studio control room at the end of a hallway, showing off what the synths sound like, letting you demo them. Honestly more effective than someone talking technical. Sonible had one of the teachers at the institute demo it, which was a good fit since it's a fairly technical product. Didn't see any software engineers or company principals as far as I could tell.

[telecode]

For those who have attended one of these:
Do they ever have any of the more notable people from each company such as Urs or Viktor from u-he, Bulent, Xavier (XILS lab) or anyone else I may know?

The only interesting one was when they had Spotify Canada office present one year. Other times it was various peeps I never heard of. I think it's worth checking out if you haven't been.