Well, it's the last day of the Podcasting and New Media Expo here in Ontario, California. It must be the last day as I've only just managed to get my sleep patterns into line and I'm off back home tomorrow.
Tim and Emile do a fantastic job of arranging the expo and this year was no exception.
It's always difficult to blog with so much going on so this year, I tended to restrict it to micro blogging via Twitter. I'm really liking twitter as a super immediate form of communication, although it's always weird to see a tweet come in from someone sitting next to you instead of across the ocean.
Highlights of the week for me:
- Meeting such a great bunch of people - I won't name names as I'll only miss someone out but it's really great hanging out with a bunch of passionate, like minded people.
- Getting my iPhone - Ok, so they upgraded the firmware on the day I picked it up, but I was able to activate the iPod and wifi features without unlocking the phone itself. It's everything I thought it would be and more - the screen is to die for and the touch screen just blows me away. From never seeing an iPhone to seeing every other person with one was a bit of a surreal experience. Many thanks to Victor (from the Typical Mac user Podcast) and Adam (from the Maccast) for taking the time out on Thursday to run me to the Apple store. I'll blog more about the iPhone when I get home
- Being a Speaker - despite the added pressure of giving a presentation this year, I'm really glad I had the opportunity to present. Feedback from the session was extremely positive and it was really good to give something back to the community. All the sessions were recorded and will be available in audio, and this year, in video form too.
- The Speakers Room - An unexpected benefit was the Speakers Room and the hospitality extended to the speakers. A separate wifi service, breakfast, fresh coffee and lunch provided, it was a great place to retreat from the main expo and chat to the other speakers.
- iProng Booth - Along with the SoCal and LA Podcasters, Bill Palmer did a great job of putting on the iProng stand and gave away literally thousands of dollars worth of iPod and iPhone accessories. The two hours I spent on the booth probably went by as the fastest two hours in the whole expo and it was great to meet those ScreenCastsOnline viewers that called by to say hello.
- UK Podcasters Panel - An adhoc panel I was invited onto but I don't think you'll be able to get a copy of the audio and I think I'll leave it at that!
- Interviews - A couple of interviews which I'll post details of once they are published including an interview with Rob Walsh of Podcast 411 - I've known Rob since the early days of Podcasting yet never been invited onto his show so I'm pleased as punch to have finally "made it". I also was interviewed via a video link by Cali Lewis of Geekbrief.tv but the quality of the video link might mean that won't see the light of day.
- Podcasting for a living - The experiences of being a professional podcaster and the fact that I've managed to build a successful business using Podcasting counted for a lot and I was more than happy to discuss my experiences with anyone who asked. The dawning realisation that this is achievable and not just a fanciful pipedream was a delight to behold to all that "got it"
There's probably many other highlights that I could jot down but I'll probably save them for another post.
So I'm heading back to the UK tomorrow and should arrive early tuesday morning to experience the delights of getting back to UK time.
See you in Vegas next year, PNME
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Monday, October 1, 2007 at 11:40AM 
4 iPhones of course!
Guess which one is mine ;-)
Picture is courtesy of Allison Sheridan of the NosillaCast Podcast. As well as Alison and myself, the other iPhones belonged to John Chambers (of the one minute tip) and Ron (Allisons friend)
Allison has put together a great summary post all about the Expo here and has recorded a podcast all about it.
Thanks for the great comments Allison, I'll give you that $100 next time I see you ;-)
Seriously, I had a blast and it was great to meet up with Allison, John and Ron
If you're a reader of the gorgeous 
In final panic mode now to get some commissioned work completed, get this weeks show published and finish off my presentation for Friday before jetting off on Wednesday.
Luckily, there's the Podcamp on the Thursday before the Expo starts so if you see me at the back of the room feverish working on my laptop, I'll be doing one of two things, either activating my new iPhone that hopefully I will have picked up that morning, or finishing off my presentation. I've good reason to believe I'll probably be doing both!
If you're around the Expo, be sure to stop me and say hello. It looks like this years event will be much bigger and busier than last year and it's the last time for Ontario, next year it's Las Vegas!
If you want to stop by the