The event lasted for 3 days and consisted of a comprehensive set of seminars, live discussions and workshops. There was also an exhibition hall in which software manufactures, service suppliers and a whole range of eBay related business displayed their services and wares. Also in the exhibition hall was a range of eBay stands with experts on hand to offer advice on such subjects as eBay Stores, Paypal and eBay Express. There were also plenty of opportunities to network and socialise.

So that was what it was all about so how did it stand up to my expectations. Surprisingly I found that the registration on the first day went fairly smoothly, possibly partly due to the fact that I had purchased a “Priority Pass” which was supposed to guarantee fast entry. Having said that though I did not see any great hold ups for anyone. EBay appeared to have provided enough staff to ensure the process went smoothly.

Talking of eBay staff, between 700 and 800 eBay staff helped run this event and without exception everyone I spoke to including several at director level could not have been more friendly or helpful. And that was as true on the last day as the first and anyone who has worked at an exhibition will know it is not easy to keep the smile in place by the last day. I was also very impressed with both the loyalty to and the enthusiasm for eBay that seemed to exude from all the staff we met. There really did seem to be a family feel amongst all the staff and that must come down from the very top.

There were 3 “Official events”, The Welcome Meeting” on day one, and on the last day what eBay call “The Town Hall Meeting” were eBayers get a chance to have their say and the “Gala Dinner”. Traditionally the Welcome Meeting is were eBay’s CEO Meg Whitman announces any major changes, although this year the main point seemed to be that eBay wants to improve the Buying experience. What this means in reality will only become apparent in time. At the Town Hall meeting a wide range of grievances were aired as you would expect but in answer to a question about a European eBay Live we were told that such an event in Paris or London was a possibility in the future.

The Gala Dinner was personally my biggest disappointment of the trip. So many people had told me how good this event normally was that the reality was a let down. As I mentioned earlier I had purchased a Priority Pass, which entitled me to fast track entry into the Gala dinner. Now what that actually meant was that the Seminars and exhibition closed at 4 pm on the last day and the Gala dinner started at 6 pm. At four o’clock the queue had started to build up outside the Dinner venue. In fact there were two queues, one for the Priority pass holders and one for everyone else. And we stood queuing until 6 o’clock when we were let in first followed then by the second queue.
So what had we queued for? The venue was as warm and welcoming as a large aircraft hanger, something that it closely resembled. The rock band on the stage played noisy over amplified music and almost uneatable food was available if you once again joined a long queue. Later at the Dinner it was announced that next years venue for eBay Live would be Chicago.

I spent several hours in the exhibition hall and not only gained some useful information on a number of products but added considerably to my collection of T shirts. Every stand seemed to be giving them away, (but why in XXL size?). The .eBay information stands were particularly worth a visit as you got to speak to many of the people in charge of the projects such as eBay Stores and eBay Education.

By my count there were over 150 seminars, live discussions and workshops over the 3 day period and I attended as many as I could. They all ran for between 1 and 1½ hours and the one I attended all started on time and provided useful information. The seminar program was well worth the price of the ticket for the event.

On the flight home I began to wonder whether the journey had been worth it and I am sure it was. Personally for me one of the big bonuses was personally meeting some of the big name experts from the USA. The likes of Ina Steiner of Auctionbyte without doubt the very best eBay newsletter. Mike Enos, Jim Cockrum and of course Skip McGrath the author of The Complete eBay Marketing System and his lovely wife Karen. Two really nice people that I met were Julia Wilkinson author of the eBay Price Guide and Lynn Dralle the “Queen of eBay”. The good news is that several of these have agreed to contribute articles for UK Auctionline.

At the moment I have not made up my mind whether I shall go to Chicago next year. It is not my favourite US city and it lacks the tourist attractions that Boston had to offer. If you are considering attending I am sure that you will the exhibition and seminars of interest. The cost or the event varies from $60 (£30) to $100 (£50) depending upon when you book. A priority Pass cost a further $150 (£75) and entitles you to fast track entry and a free rucksack, which was useful. The priority pass holders were also invited to attend a lunch which this year was addressed by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and CEO Meg Whitman. (The main course was meat loaf!!) and the right to go into the Gala Dinner first after queuing for a couple of hours.

In my opinion the entry ticket was great value but the priority pass was not and if I do go again I should not bother with that. On the plus side eBay were generous with their gifts, each attendee received a shoulder back with some goodies and a well-produced eBay Live Information book. Throughout the event the company were giving away specially produced pins and cards celebrating the event many of which will no doubt end up for sale on eBay.

Yes I think I enjoyed it. Would I go again? The jury is still out on that one.