Romance conference vs. medical conference

​Just got back from a medical conference in Florida (had to stare at the beach while in meetings all day >sigh<), and I couldn't help it -- my head started to compare this conference to romance writers conferences. Granted this was a conference targeted toward a mix of all specialties and some of the topics trended toward second career/post-retirement/transitional work. So, it's a skewed age group maybe, but there you go.


Demographics:

Romance conference = full age spread (20-80) and 90% female (scents of nice perfume)

Medical conference = age spread 40 up to 75 and 70% male (scents of old spice and ben gay)


Keynote speaker:

Medical conference = acronyms for research studies promoting treatments that reduce morbidity

Romance conference = acronyms for "parts that go into parts" (m to v, v to p, etc.) promoting heaving bosoms and rapid breathing

Topics:

Medical conference = how to survive ACA changes, new drugs to improve erectile dysfunction (data cited throughout study, no diagrams)

Romance conference = how to survive first BDSM experience, numerous open discussions about sexuality (diagrams and/or verbal description provided in copious amounts)


Food:

Medical conference = salad, chicken, cheesecake

Romance conference = salad, chicken, cheesecake


Chatting with folks sitting next to me:

Medical conference = "Hi Bob, how is implementation of EMR going/use of drug-eluting stents/administrative work burden due to prior authorizations going?"

Romance conference = "Hi Dewy Desire, how is the scene about sex in zero-G going/use of rocket propulsion to improve orgasm/twitter feeds to improve marketing going?"


Cost:

Medical conference = Hospital paid me to go.

Romance conference = I footed 100% of bill.


Satisfaction:

Medical conference = Great information. Frustrating medical trends in physician autonomy and burdens of paperwork and bureaucracy. More tired at the end of conference.

Romance conference = Great information. Exciting trends in author autonomy/options for publication, discussion of marketing work needed. More energized at the end of conference.