Web 2.0 Expo: Bloggers vs Press

As a video producer, it's important to obtain "Press" credentials when attending an event of any stripe.  Web 2.0 Expo not only granted me these, but they also enlisted the help of Blogtropol.us, the site behind "Bloggers and media makers".  The goal: To make a place for bloggers and press without having to distinct between the two in past traditional manner.  All events like this (even CES & SXSW) should take a lesson from the folks at O'Reilly media and that is to give the press their traditional place for reporting and the bloggers their place for blogging. 

There were two sets of room for mainstream "press" and a lounge for the bloggers.  I took photos of each room here:
 

Guess which one is the Press room?  I think these images sum up the distinction between the two.  The image on the right is the blogger lounge. There was food, a 'stage' for interviews shared among the bloggers and an overall atmosphere of fun.  The press room on the other hand was, well...a library. 

Now let me be clear, I'm not saying that any one is more important than the other.  They both serve their audiences equally and with the same passion.  My point is that more event venues of this caliber need to adopt practices like this so that journalism, whether traditional print or blog/web, can function equally to serve their purpose.