2012 Republican and Democratic National Conventions: Being there beats online

For all the buzz about tech companies tearing down the figurative walls of party conventions to involve every American online, there’s plenty of reason to be skeptical that the physical event will come to an end anytime soon.

Even techies admit that party faithful will continue to gather in person every four years to wave placards and listen to speeches, and attendees will spend big bucks to be there. "It will always be a singular, signature, acceptance speech from the nominee," said Joe Lockhart, communications vice president at Facebook and former White House press secretary for Bill Clinton. "My guess is for the foreseeable future it will be done in a physical hall, with a bunch of excited people."