Visitors to the RSA conference spend thousands of dollars on the best tickets, and generally get their money's worth in information and contacts.

It's not widely known but the city of San Francisco and a major credit card company have struck a deal with a number of businesses in the city, and surrounding Bay Area, so that conference delegates can also get discounts and promotional offers.

There's a huge variety of things to choose from. Some of the best tourist attractions are covered, including the Academy of Sciences (well worth a long visit), the de Young museum (ditto, and handily right next door) and the Botanical Gardens bookstore.

A large proportion of businesses that opted into the scheme are vineyards, or wineries as they are known over here. You can get free tastings, private tours and discounted purchases just by showing your RSA 2010 conference badge.

However, as Sleuth scanned the list, some other businesses came to light that are a little more unconventional. Conferences can be stressful times and I'm hoping that not many delegates use their 15 per cent discount at the On the Mat Fight Shop. The last thing you need on the Expo floor is someone going nuts with nunchucks after getting jostled one too many times.

Then there are the purveyors of other services, notably strip clubs. I'm not sure how many delegates would be happy flashing their badge at one of these establishments but Larry Flynt's infamous Hustler Club offers 15 per cent off food and beverages, Beaver Bucks (I don't want to know) not included.

That said there certainly appears to be a lot more business being done on the floor, the Expo is bustling and the Thirsty Bear is doing great trade. Last year they were trying to keep stand staff away from sharp implements in case of mass depression. This year things seem a little more hopeful.

03 Mar 2010