NOT A FAN
The topic exploded into different directions. Some speakers believe the bureau-model to be obsolete, due to the internet. Others argued that it’s a logical stretch to think people will start looking for you, just because you are in a directory.
What no one did, was tell positive or encouraging stories about what the directories had done for them. If there is such a thing as a career-Cupid, he still has all his arrows in his quiver.
We did get some horror-stories. One speaker had been offered a listing for $2000/year without the company promising any sales. I don’t know which company was behind this, or whether their intentions were legit. They probably were. Still: if you find out that something seems scammy, let your co-speakers know. Building careers is hard enough without pouring money down the drain.
Codified into numbers, that sentiment about the directories generally came in like this.