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RSA Conference Post-Mortem: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Join us for what may likely be the most brutally honest RSA POST-Conference Recap you'll get from real security practitioners AND cybersecurity marketers. Whether you're a regular attendee, a first-timer, or someone who's always wanted to go but couldn't make it, this is your chance to hear it straight from the insiders.
Dani Woolf
17 May • Read Time: 5 minutes
In the latest episode of Audience 1st, I dive into a candid, post-mortem conversation about the much-anticipated RSA Conference.
Joined by my merry band of troublemakers—George Kamide, Chase Cunningham, Elliot Volkman, and Clark Barron—we break down everything from the overall atmosphere to the invaluable insights we gathered during the event.
It’s a compelling analysis of what worked, what didn’t, and the takeaways that matter most from RSA.
Here's how it's going down:
We're going to kick it off with expectations vs. reality: Did the actual experience live up to the hype?
We're adding to the Audience 1st sh*t list to uncover the glaring misses or underwhelming moments at the conference that we think deserve a spotlight for improvement.
We'll share our thoughts on new technologies and trends that emerged from the conference.
We'll give you key insights and examples from various vendors and sessions that knocked it out of the park.
Are we heading back to RSA next year? YUP! We're going to talk about what might we do differently based on this year’s learnings.
And for our honorary guest who didn’t attend, we'll dig into perceptions of the RSA Conference through social media and second-hand accounts.
POLL: When assessing the ROI of an event, which factor do you value most? |
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Insights and Key Takeaways
My Conference Anticipations and Experiences
Both attendees and vendors were buzzing with anticipation for this year’s conference.
Having frequented RSA multiple times, I found the return of bustling crowds refreshing, and the vendors didn’t disappoint—they decked out their booths with cutting-edge tech, especially AI, which dominated the sessions.
George noted that vendors showed a bit more restraint with AI this year, likely due to last year’s over-the-top AI marketing.
This subtle shift felt like an overcorrection, but it was interesting to see the cautious approach unfold.
Behind the Scenes: Confessions and Mishaps
Conferences like RSA aren’t just about tech—they reveal the very human, sometimes chaotic side of events like these.
Chase shared a memorable moment when someone passing by openly criticized his book, but, in true Chase style, he took it in stride and found humor in the encounter.
These unexpected moments are part of the RSA experience, highlighting the quirks of public life and the random interactions with attendees.
Of course, RSA’s San Francisco location brought its own ambiance.
Chase described some of the city’s scenes as straight out of “The Walking Dead,” and
Elliot had his share of unsettling encounters while capturing RSA’s culture. It’s a beautiful city, but these moments reminded us all of the contrasts that come with large urban events.
Marketing Marvels and Missteps
Marketing tactics at RSA were, as always, a mix of impressive and questionable.
George raised some concerns about the efficiency of billboards and LED trucks around the event, making me wonder about both the environmental and cost impact of these displays.
With RSA’s high financial stakes, these bold advertising moves are a reminder of the intense competition among vendors vying for attention.
From the Couch: Remote Observations
Clark skipped this year’s RSA but still got a strong sense of the event through LinkedIn.
Social media made it possible for those who didn’t attend in person to stay up-to-date and immersed in the RSA buzz.
The role of remote attendees is evolving, and it’s a unique way to experience events through the digital conversation happening online.
My Final Thoughts
Reflecting on this episode, it’s clear how unique the RSA experience is—bringing together old friends and sparking discussions that extend far beyond the conference center.
George and I laughed over our efforts to find accommodations outside downtown, a small reminder of RSA’s reach beyond its official walls.
RSA Conference remains a hallmark for innovation and connection.
Until next time,
Dani
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