[ad:tech sponsor Elite Commission forgoes "booth babes" and offers passers by hand rolled cigars. Image courtesy ad:tech blog]

If the down economy is hurting company's marketing spend, it's sure not showing at this year's ad:tech New York conference. The conference that looks at "how digital is transforming all media" is jam packed.

Edelman is running PR, and the agency's Fryske Helms tells PRNewser that this year's event has the "highest attendance ever," although we're waiting to hear from her on official conference numbers once they become available.

There is a fair amount of blog buzz from the event, although the election is making it a bit hard to focus for some. PaidContent's David Kaplan overheard one panel speaker who quipped, "How are we supposed to concentrate on the conference?" Meanwhile, others have scene other affects of the election. Writes Adrant's Steve Hall, "The presidential election is really screwing up the ad:tech New York party schedule."