Hi Debs
Ok, here's my 2p worth
Firstly you don't say where you're from, but I'm guessing north of England somewhere - last year Creme also took place in Manchester, don't know if they're planning that this year - it was smaller though. I too have done Creme in a day - 5 am train from Edinburgh, back at 6, delayed got home at midnight - TIRED!!!
Ok, firstly if you've never been to Creme before, it IS a good day out. As for the seminars, you're right, you need to choose carefully as they are getting a little pricey for the time you get. I would recommend those run by Capita (formerly the Industrial Society) - Judi James is a great speaker and I've always enjoyed her seminars when I've done timings for her over the years - don't be put off or misled by her dead pan expression, she is very very funny. I would say, though, don't try and fit too many seminars into a day or you'll be knackered. I would say max two and one would be enough if that's all you wanted to do. As for the IT ones, you get just under an hour so there really isn't any time to go into anything in depth, so probably not worth doing, unless you want a very brief intro to something you don't know at all and are curious about.
Remember the hall is hot with all the lights and if it's warm outside, as it was one year, it's excruciatingly hot - don't dehydrate, drink lots of water, and remember to sit down occasionally!
There are usually lots of hotel/travel type exhibitors, pen/stationery companies, event organisers, venues, recruitment companies. A lot of what you will find of interest very much depends on what you do at work, and where your responsibilities lie. If you're the organiser of events where you need to source venues, items as giveaways, etc, then Creme is a good place for ideas.
It's very much up to you - only you know what asking for a day off in a busy month will be like. If you get OS mag (mine came this morning but I've not read yet) I see there's an article about Creme which may be worth reading. The Creme site will naturally 'sell' it the best, but if you need to do that for your boss, it may be worth checking it out. If you do go for it, it's a day away, not a day's holiday - it's part of your development, and not a jolly - you will have sore feet from all the walking on hard floor, and you get lots of stuff to carry home - it's a good idea to start off light when leaving home!!!
One of the things I used to really enjoy about Creme was the fact the London Wine Fair was also in Olympia at the same time (altho it was havoc with parking on build up/break down for us exhibitors!) but it's moved venues now to Docklands which is a real shame, cos now I have a client in that business and would be able to get in!
No doubt there will be others here who have been to Creme in the past who will give you their thoughts. As a past (and current) exhibitor, I've tried to be quite objective for you and while I haven't said definitely you should go, or not go, I hope that I've given you a little balance to think about.
Jackie
www.iqps.org
Peer Moderator 
