"looks like another convention has come and gone, with no sign of El management. "
Yeah, I remember when this convention was always going to be the catalyst to a huge year. Seems a couple of years ago at the conference, with their huge booth and large display, they were crowned as a "real market player". And now they are a startup company again.
I doubt EI saw any value to being there and interfacing with the industry leaders. (of course hotel rooms aren't free, and I doubt they could afford to go, even though they act like they a real player).
Their "New Innovation" entry didn't make it to the finalist round. The access to the product didn't even show a picture. You would think if you were voting on a new Innovation, that is based on appearance, there would be a pictuire of it.