Grabbing Free Stuff At The AMD Microsoft Tech Tour
Yesterday was the Vancouver leg of the AMD Microsoft Tech Tour. I missed the tour last year because I was in Taipei during the time they swung through Vancouver.
For whatever reason, the tour was smaller than two years ago - the event no longer takes up the entire ballroom. The presentation format has changed as well. Instead of the interview/talk show style, the tour now features more boring one-sided presentations. There was a break during the “Are you smarter than a fifth grader” session but overall, the event was damn boring and lasted way too long.
Joining Sarah and I at the tour was Stephen Fung, Paul Mudhar and Michael Kwan. We try to make the best of a boring situation but pulling some stunts. We ate dinner on the stage because there was a table there. We had almost finished when an AMD guy took us to get off. I also took over the Visiontek booth because no one was there. I opened up their box and gave away all their T-shirts. Here are some photos.
The Show Floor
The show floor had about dozen companies showing off their stuff. Every vendor had people manning their booth except for VisionTek. I guess they missed their flight.
Taking Over The VisionTek Booth
Since VisionTek was a no-show, I decided to take over their booth. See that box behind me? It contained 100 T-shirts and a bunch of VisionTek LED lights. I guess I could have taken the entire box for myself but I ended up giving most of the T-shirts away.
Andy The Host
The host of the AMD Tech Tour is Andy. He has hosted this event for as long as I can remember. However, this is the first time I’ve seen him use a T-shirt gun.
Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?
This was the only entertaining part of the tour. I can understand why attendance has gone down in recent years. They need to bring back the old interview format.
The Free Stuff
It wouldn’t be an AMD event if they didn’t give away any free stuff. There was a bunch of stuff given away in a lucky draw. Stephen won a MSI motherboard. I didn’t win anything but I made off with my share of free stuff, including thirteen T-shirts. I guess if I kept the VisionTek shirts, I would have over 100.
Of course, I’m going to give away most of this stuff because I don’t really have any use for it. I think I’ll start by giving away a couple of VisionTek T-shirts. Just reply to this post and you’re entered. I’ll draw two names on Friday and those two will have a nice T to wear this summer.
Good luck.
- Posted in Technology
- 123 comments what's your take?
I wouldn’t mind a free t-shirt.
Reply to this commentThat’s hilarious. I wonder if anyone at VisionTek is going to notice this article and contact you.
Kudos on the show shenanigans.
Thanks,
Reply to this commenthttp://WesleyTech.com
What would be more interesting to note is whether they thank him or are pissed at him
Reply to this commentOk, genius… we can see your name in “Comment By” no need to add a link signature.
Reply to this commentHey WesleyTech.com, I just wanted to write to let you know that if you want people to visit WesleyTech.com, you should probably provide a link to WesleyTech.com. Just thought you’d like to know.
Reply to this commenthaha you stole their T-Shirts and took over their booth..tats a lesson for visionTek
Reply to this comment
HEY JOHN… are YOU smarter than the 5th grader?!?!??!?!? 
Reply to this commentHe’s smart enough to make a killing off this blog each month
Reply to this commentIt’s funny, how Chow goes to conferences just to get a free tshirts. Dude, you make 12,000 / month… buy your own t-shirt!
Reply to this commentThey’re not as much fun as the free ones. Any sucker can go out an buy the things they need. Having stuff given to you takes whole other level of awesomeness.
Reply to this commentDid you know if you sent shoemoney a free t-shirt he would probably take a picture and link to you.
I dont know why we are so cheap.
Reply to this commentWe’re not cheap, we’re savvy.
Reply to this commentCheap is the new cool LOL gotta love the freebies, man…
Reply to this commentVery true and so long as you’ve got the dollars rolling in, who cares if a fifth grader can beat you at trivia
Reply to this commenthaha straight up………smart does not mean rich haha
Reply to this commentyup i thin it is his carefree attitude…that makes him money
Reply to this commenti’d like one too
Reply to this commentHello again :p I hope win xD
Reply to this commenti hope to win everything
Reply to this commentJohn, give me all the stuff or else… or else I’ll
Reply to this commentLooks like a decent enough time, LOL @ taking over the booth. Gotta admire your balls, John
Reply to this commentya and then steal their content and then write about it…hahah!! john john…
Reply to this commentNice job with the booth
Jason
Reply to this commentJohn Chow always getting into trouble. You really are evil.
Count me in!
Reply to this commentThat was pretty evil John!
I like it!
I’ll throw you a few make money online keywords to help your internet business if you send me a T-shirt so I don’t have to get a payday loan to buy new clothes from an online store.
What do you say…
Later,
Reply to this commentTyler
heh, keyword stuffin anyone?
Reply to this commenti want a T-Shiet because it will get me a free link mention from your website
atleast i am honest
Reply to this commentCan’t beat free, count me in!
Reply to this commentWoo hoo! Free merchandise! Count me in!
Reply to this commentLOL!
Reply to this commentshould’ve turned it into a johnchow.com booth.
count me in also!
Reply to this commentHow about giving me a little credit for the photo of you at the VisionTek booth? :p
Reply to this commentcredit to kwan for the photo of JC at the VisionTek booth….
hahaha….
it seems you’re close friends
Reply to this commentNah, we’re not close friends. Just acquaintances who happen to live in the same area.
Reply to this commentI wonder what the most expensive item you’ve won is? I’ll take a t. Its summer time.
Reply to this commentHere is my entry, Thanks.
Reply to this commentThat’s awesome entry. You WIN! Post your address and phone number and John will make sure he gets you the stuff.
Reply to this commentI will take free T-shirt
Reply to this commentYea, mee too!
Reply to this commentCount me in! I hope you have some XL in there
Reply to this commentFor T-shirt give-aways, they’re usually in free sizes. Free shirts, free size…makes sense LOL. WHEN I win, I hope it fits me alright hahaha.
Reply to this commentwow, that’s some long post!
Reply to this commentJohn just made 100 bux write a post about his picture in a booth, what have you done with your life?
Reply to this commentSign me up for the free tee John!
Reply to this commentfree t-shirt would be nice
actually, would take anything free
Reply to this commentWhat the hell is Andy holding in his hand? It look like something that i saw once during my tour of Amsterdam.
Hell, I won’t say no to a free t-shirt
Reply to this commentIt’s a Tshirt gun — you stuff a shirt in there, pull the trigger, and away it goes, out into one lucky audience member’s arms. It does look like a weird contraption though (probably Dutch-made, too), I agree LOL.
Reply to this commentFree T’s rock! Love how you took over the booth. I wonder if they read Johnchow Dot Com.
Reply to this commentEveryone on earth reads Chow.
Reply to this commentHey hey I’m surprised you didnt take this as a reason to make another link-bait campaign
I’m im for the competition aswell, John!
Thx :).
Reply to this commentFree shirt? Why not
Reply to this commentVisionTek should be paying you. How long did you occupy the booth? That’s hilarious.
Reply to this commentYeah, to have a superstar like John manning the booth. That’s gotta be expensive.
Reply to this commentSEND SOME T SHIRTS TO ME
Reply to this commentHaha, love the VisionTek stunt. Was the MSI Mitherboard any good?
Reply to this commentI think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen a t-shirt gun. That thing seems pretty cool.
Reply to this commentfree exposure, nice
Reply to this commentMan,why are there no shos like these here where I live…
P.S.
Reply to this commentI wouldn`t mind the T-Shirt too
*shows
Reply to this commentHe used to be on TechTV, they got bought by G4 and ever since then the TV sucks.
Reply to this commentHave yet to finish up all the laundry and winning free stuff from John Chow is always worth going for.
Reply to this commentSounds fun, I’m in
Good luck to everyone!
Reply to this commentNice of you to pass on the free stuff.
Reply to this commentAah, what the hell, I want a t-shirt.
Reply to this commentIt’s great how you just give away stuff :smile:. Thanks.
Reply to this commentWhat size are those T-shirts by the way?
Reply to this commentIf it’s free, just take it, don’t ask questions.
Reply to this commentJohn you did not like there exclusive bundle for 249 US?
- Energy efficient AMD Athlon 64 dual-core processor 4400+, Rev G, 65nm
- Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate OS - NFR (32 bit DVD)
- ASUS M2A-VM with AMD 690G Chipset
- McaFee VirusScan Plus - (year service) - NFR
AMD LIVE CD
Reply to this commentI love techy t-shirts!
Reply to this commentI need to start going to some of these conventions.
Reply to this commentI just went to one this week but it didn’t have anywhere near as swanky swag. One company did have tons of candy as swag and that was a very smart idea
Reply to this commentPlease give me a t-shirt. I’m naked.
Reply to this commentWe can always count on you John
for coming big everytime 
I guess you’re not that evil after all…. count me in
Reply to this commentfree is my price- send me one in florida!!!
your chutzpah in taking over that booth is a hoot!!!
Reply to this commentJohn hello from Ontario, Canada
Great post, how can I get a JohnChow.com T shirt…
Reply to this commentIt will cost you a lot to send it to me….do you have some fine print with “US resident only?”
Reply to this commentYou mean “Canadian residents only”
John usually is pretty generous and willing to ship anywhere. At least he did with his pens.
Reply to this commentWhat if I don’t want the shirt but just want to reply?
Reply to this commentI’d take a hand-me-down (LOL talk about “Cheap” eh).
Reply to this commentCount me in for the T!
Reply to this commentI’m in for a shirt, John. Thanks!
Reply to this commentSo no one asked you what you were doing at the Vision Tek booth? That is hilarious that you were able to just go over there and start giving out their stuff.
Reply to this commentDidn’t you know? That WAS the plan of VisionTek…they spot John Chow in the crowd, lure him to the empty booth, and let him give the company swag away — BRILLIANT advertising. And they didn’t even have to pay John for his talent fee!
Reply to this commentI have been reading stuff on this site for two weeks now, but it took your ‘evil’ contest for me to post.
Reply to this comment-Chris
I want one of them. Here in Brazil is a little bit difficult to get one of these
Reply to this commentI could use a new gym shirt.
Reply to this commentYou want John to give you his hard earned t-shirt and you’re gonna use it to collect your sweat? How dare you?!
Reply to this commentI NEED ONE
Reply to this commentI was there. I was the guy in the Digg hoodie, I saw you, 2nd row I think? Anyways, I tried to “accidently” run into you and introduce myself, but you’re just way too fast.
Reply to this commentYup, we were in the second row.
Reply to this commentA close encounter with the Chow posse…I so envy you (I’ll settle for a shirt though LOL).
Reply to this commentI never win nuttin!!!!
Reply to this commentI might as well enter! Beginners luck hopefully
Reply to this commentWooo… I need those lovely T-shirts.
Reply to this commentEnter me. Me want T-shirt!
Reply to this commentCount me in for a free tshirt. Way to take over the booth John, lol!
Reply to this commentWell, I have an AMD Athlon 64 processor, so its apt if I wear an AMD shirt.
Reply to this commentI’m game for AMD t-shirts
Oh John I forgot about that flip-it t-shirt that I was drawn for earlier.. you can re-contest that if you want unless you still want to mail it to me
Reply to this commentCount me in
Reply to this commentCount me in
Reply to this commentCool~ I’m in too. Hopefully I will get one and I don’t need to buy any T-shirt this summer:)
Reply to this commentI would like to have a Free T-Shirt too.
Reply to this commentCount me in for the contest, John! Thanks!
I wonder if VisionTek actually intended to give away the whole box?
Reply to this commentI’ll win a free t-shirt, and meet John Chow one day!!!
Reply to this commentCount me in if You can send it to Poland.
Reply to this commentI’d like a Tshirt…and a video card…and a car. Fine, a shirt would do for now LOL.
Reply to this commentI love free swag, and your “stage” shenanigans sounded hilarious! Reminded me of the times I’ve walked into catered events, at previous employers, and started chatting to guests whilst savouring the catering delights!
Reply to this commentHey, throw one over here!!
Reply to this commentVisionTek needs to pay you a booth babe fee.
Reply to this comment