One of the other increasingly successful channels (besides Semiwiki of course) for EDA, IP and semiconductor companies to reach potential customers is John Cooley's DeepChip. Every year he puts a lot of effort into trying to find out who is exhibiting what at DAC and which stuff seems like it is new and maybe important, and he produces a long guide (a couple of dozen pages). He even lists by name the most appropriate contact person at each company for the product that he is talking about. Sure, they are mostly marketing guys, but they are the marketing guys who specialize in that product, not just generic contacts at the company.
Print it out and read it on the plane to Austin and you'll have a much better idea of what stuff is worth your time. Of course it is his opinion yours may differ. But I'll bet you've not put as much thought into the entire spectrum of what is being show at DAC
This years guide is now out just a couple of days before DAC.
I have no idea if this is accurate, but apparently word is Wally Rhines, Lip-bu Tan, Kathryn Kranen, JL Grey, Gary Smith, Joe Costello, Suk Lee, Richard Goering, Raul Camposano, Dean Drako all donated to charity to be at Jim Hogan's Hot Zone VIP party at 8:00 to 1:00 on DAC Monday at Austin City Limits. I donated too so go ahead and donate yourself and I'll see you there.