Before I launch into a hectically busy day, I wanted to comment quickly on ABA Techshow, because I think, substantively, it was exceptionally well planned, organized and presented. Techshow chair Sharon D. Nelson and the planning board (Dan Pinnington, Laura Calloway, Blair Janis, David Masters, Tom Mighell, David Ries, John Simek and Ron Staudt) deserve kudos for this conference. The faculty was top-rate as well. Given my predilections, I was of course happy to see programs on blogging, podcasting, research and marketing, as well as a number of substantive programs on e-discovery, practice management, collaboration and networking. But I was also impressed to see programs that explored how lawyers can better use technology to serve clients and, in particular, low-income clients.

Anyone who came to my presentation Saturday, “60 Sites in 60 Minutes,” will understand why I say this: Techshow needs to move out of the Sheraton. Our Internet connection Saturday failed almost completely, but this was no anomoly. This is a hotel in which I could not get soap in my room without multiple calls, could not get hot water in my shower, and was forced to pay $13 a day for a crappy Internet connection. Techshow’s free wireless connection was weak and slow throughout the conference. The Sheraton should be a good hotel — it has the location and the facilities — but it isn’t and hasn’t been for years.

So, well-earned halos to the Techshow planning board and to the Techshow faculty. As for the Sheraton, pitchforks.

Note: On Friday I had three posts at Legal Blog Watch about Techshow:

Photo of Bob Ambrogi Bob Ambrogi

Bob is a lawyer, veteran legal journalist, and award-winning blogger and podcaster. In 2011, he was named to the inaugural Fastcase 50, honoring “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries and leaders.” Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of several legal publications, including The National Law Journal, and editorial director of ALM’s Litigation Services Division.