Technology for Marketing and Advertising 2008

The nice people at the Technology for Marketing and Advertising emailed me recently asking me what I would like to see at their next show, in February 2008 at Earl's Court 2. How very nice of them, and how rude of me if I didn't respond.

The survey itself was pleasantly succinct, although perhaps some of the answers were a little ambiguous at times. However, having told them what I would like to see I decided to register for the event as a visitor. We may of course be more inclined to show at the event, but given registration is free, nothing lost.

Imagine my surprise when, having submitted my details, I very shortly after receive an OOO message in my inbox. The OOO thanked me for my email (what email?) and, as is the norm, suggested any urgent messages be forwarded to a colleague.

I'm not sure it would even take that much technology to get this more right: Surely responses, if you don't have the capability to store them in a database, would at least be emailed to a non-personal email address, one that would never have the OOO autoresponse set to on. And if even that was not possible, perhaps a little more forethought would have ensured the email were directed to someone in the office, and changed as necessary from time to time.

So, I look forward to the next CSFMA event (Common Sense For Marketing and Advertising), but in the meantime will be interested to see what is being offered at February's TFMA exhibition too. Assuming they don't lose my registration details in the inbox-from-hell that welcomes anyone returning to work after a break.