Lotus Geek :: Annual Lotusphere post: Tips for Lotusphere n00bs!

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Note: I post this every year, so I thought I would continue the tradition. This list is updated from last year - make sure you add anything that I forget! **Rock

Recently I participated in a Taking Notes podcast about tips for Lotusphere newbies. Here's the post I referenced in that podcast that contains my tips for Lotusphere. Hope this helps!

OK, I am getting really excited. Lotusphere 2008 is next week, and I am ready to get down there! The CULT shirts are done and look GREAT once again (thanks to Andrew - he did all the work this year, and I really appreciate it!), and overall I am ready to make the trek to Mickeyland to hang out with thousands of my fellow Lotus Geeks.

Here are some pointers to the newbie Lotusphere attendees. I am not going to try replicate Turtle's excellent tips at the Gonzo Lotusphere site (especially the classic "The Unofficial Gonzo Guide to Meeting People at Lotusphere" post - highly recommended); instead I am going to type some suggestions, stream-of-consciousness, that I have learned over the years - also mention some tips suggested by others...

Lessons Learned (some the hard way, some the fun way)
OK, if you're new, here are some suggestions to get the most out of Lotusphere.

Like I mentioned earlier, you need to read the stuff at the Gonzo Lotusphere site. There are a ton of great suggestions there, as well as a handy FAQ. Check the Index to find the FAQ and other stuff. There is also a News section that contains all the latest news and gossip about our favorite show.
Bring your laptop with wireless connectivity. Most laptops have that built in now - but if yours doesn't, go ahead and buy a wireless card. If you don't have one, get one - they're cheap now (~$10? C'mon!). There is a HUGE wireless cloud over Lotusphere, and connectivity should be great. Wireless is so popular, in fact, that I had people downloading the slides and examples to my session while they were in the session. You'll be sorry, and look like a Luddite if you don't have wireless connectivity. Not to mention you'll have to wait in line for an ethernet connection, while the untethered are able to connect at will.
Don't pack too many shirts, cause you'll probably get a bunch there. I know you can get one of the (in)famous CULT shirts simply by finding one of the sponsors - some of which have booths in the product showcase. We did almost 3,000 shirts this year, so there should be plenty to go around - if you get to one of the sponsors early :)
Take some time to truly explore the product showcase. There are always some really kewl, new tools coming out every year and there are quite a few new exhibitors, so you should check it out. In fact, this year's product showcase is SOLD OUT - so the selection and information should be the best it has been in years.
You should take some time (at least a couple of hours) to check out the labs. One can't-miss lab is the Innovation Lab, formerly known as the Lotus Research lab. It is amazing, and will really open your mind to what's possible with Domino and other Lotus technologies.
Take in as much information about the new stuff in Notes 8.x, Domino 8.x, and Notes/Domino.NEXT as possible - especially things like Domino Designer in Eclipse. This is where we, as Domino professionals, are headed and you need to be ahead of the curve to be able to speak intelligently about this to your clients/customers/etc.
Wear comfortable shoes - you'll walk A LOT.
Take time to go through the agenda and map out your day, but you need to keep an eye on the video screens for repeat sessions. That way you may be able to catch one of your "second choice" sessions later in the week, or even in the day. We have designed the session schedule so that we will have a decent amount of time at the end of the day for ad-hoc repeat sessions - but you won't know about these new sessions unless you watch the monitors. Also new this year, the pocket agenda contains the speaker names as well as the session names.
Speaking of the agenda, you can download an awesome (built with Midas, of course).
Gabriella Davis of the Turtle Partnership has taken Ben's LS Agenda db and has ported it to a Blackberry Application! Go to http://lotusphere.turtleweb.com/bb from your Blackberry browser to install. After you have installed, revisiting/refreshing the URL will show if there's a newer version which you can automatically update.
Bring a jacket - something you can stuff in your conference bag - because it can be cool sometimes, and it can rain at any time. There are times when I've frozen at Lotusphere, and others when I've burned up - come prepared.
Kimono's is a great sushi bar, and has karaoke as well at night. This is a favorite hangout for attendees.
If you're a CLP, there is a CLP lounge. In years past there have been free sodas and snacks, and massages there.
If it isn't too late, book your flight home AFTER the closing session. The closing session is always fun, and a highlight of the conference for me each year.
If you want to meet fellow geeks early, and possibly meet folks you want to hang out with later in the week, then go to the Gonzo Lotusphere Party at ESPN Sportszone on Saturday night. You won't be sorry (except for the hangover the next day).
If you're going to Pleasure Island more than once, then pay $5 extra when you buy your ticket and you can go for 5 days on the one ticket.
If you arrive early Saturday or Sunday, take some time and walk around - get to know the lay of the land. Some of the session rooms in the Swan and Yacht & Beach can be a bit tricky to find, and you don't want to be running through a crowd of people to get to a session you can't find during the week.
Pack some water bottles in your bag during the week. I can't tell you how often I was thirsty, and couldn't find a drink.
Hang out in the Dolphin lobby at the end of the day if you don't have anything to do. The Dolphin lobby seems to be the unofficial meeting place for everyone, and you're most likely to find a group to "clump with" there.
Fill out the session evals and conference eval at the end; also, this year I believe these are offered online as well. The Lotus staff takes those evals very seriously, and use them to make changes to the show for future years. Your opinion is valued!
Don't forget about the latest and greatest stuff at this year's show! Things like JAMFest, GURUpalooza, SpeedGeeking, Lotusphere Idol, more labs, a customer panel, and more!
Thank a Loti while you are there. Thank 10 of them. Let them know they are appreciated. Even send them a drink as a special token of your gratitude, they'll really like that.

Here are some suggestions from Lotus Geek readers in years past:

Sit with people you do NOT know for your meals and talk to them . I have met some great people that way (John Coolidge)
Be prepared to get an early start. It's a long day, and giving yourself time to have breakfast, even if only a light breakfast will pay off. Trust me on this. I don't eat breakfast most of the year, but I won't miss it at Lotusphere if I can help it. It's more important than an extra 20 minutes of sleep. (Rich Schwartz)
The meal tent (one tent this year!) is a great place to meet new and interesting people. Don't fill more than half the seats at your table with people you already know. Leave the rest open so that others can join you. (Rich Schwartz)
Take a medium sized soft-sided suitcase or duffel bag. Pack it inside your main suitcase for the trip down. Use it to bring home all the goodies you will pick up from the vendors on the show floor, the white papers, and the gifts for the family members who had to stay home. (Rich Schwartz)
Don't bring just one pair of comfortable walking shoes. Bring two, with different arch supports, and alternate them half way through the day, or when your feet feel tired. (Bill Buchan)
If you're looking for a free wireless access point at the airport, go and sit outside the Hyatt hotel that is inside the terminal building. They offer a wireless service for their guests and (last year at least), it was left open. (Tim Leach)
Get LOTS of sleep the week before LS. You'll be up late, and then up early the next day, and you don't want to already be behind in your sleep! (Jess Stratton)
Even if you only want coffee in the morning, leave yourself enough time to get to the breakfast hall, otherwise expect to beg to be let in to get some coffee to go. The door guards stop letting people in before the breakfast time ends - assuming you won't have enough time to eat. You'll have to explain you only want coffee to go, and even then sometimes they still won't let you in! (Jess Stratton)
If you have a rental car, do a quick grocery store run when you arrive. I stock up on bottled water and energy bars, so I always have a portable snack and stay hydrated. You can get these things at the hotel gift shop, but they're MUCH cheaper at the grocery store. (Kathleen McGivney)
Get to the Lotus store in the product showcase as soon as it opens - that's how I snagged a few Lotus monkeys last year. (Kathleen McGivney)
Come prepared with a list of things you want to find out about - at least a rough agenda. And focus on getting it nailed - unless of course something *far far* more interesting comes along. Then you wont feel so guilty when the boss asks you if it was useful...(Bill Buchan)
Its a good time to get certificates done - you have access to the prep-lab with ALL the course material for last minute cramming. It was one of my lotusphere routines to get the latest exams on the wednesday or thursday. (Bill Buchan)
If you're a quiet sort, it can be a bit overwhelming, and a bit too much at times. If you feel your sense of balance slipping, just bunk off for 30 minutes and DO SOMETHING else - even if its only lying on the grass, calling the folks back home, or reading a "normal" newspaper. Dont feel bad about this. If your not in the mood, its not going to work. (Bill Buchan)
Try not to drink too much if your not used to it. It destroys you on the day afterwards, and you just wont feel like doing anything. A lot of folks on stands and presentations (myself included - for the jeering masses) "pace ourselves" Sunday through wednesday night, so we're up and alive next day. Whilst killing a bottle of 18-year old Malt might *sound* like a good idea on the Sunday night - its not. Believe me. (Bill Buchan)
Wednesday - about 20 minutes before the product showcase closing time - is time for a "stand crap" collection session - as most stands will just throw out stuff. Like books - which cost more to ship back, etc, etc. I *tried* to get a blade server once, but the IBM guys wouldnt look the other way... (Bill Buchan)

So, there you have it. If I missed something, please feel free to add onto this list in a response - and next year you'll see your name in the reader's list as well!

See you at the 'sphere! Rock
**I don't mind going nowhere as long as it's an interesting path.

Comments

1 - Rocky, You did last year a great job putting all the Speed Geeking presenations together on Your blog.
I have not been able to attend Speed Geeking this year. Therefore I dont know if You where the host.

Would You do us the favor this year again, or let us know who was the host.
Thank You
Henry

Posted by Henry At 06:36:58 AM On 03/05/2008 | - Website - |

2 - @Tim (1) - No idea what's up with Turtle and the site. My guess is that blogs, etc. have somewhat taken the place of Gonzo Lotusphere; additionally I know Turtle finally got a life of his own, so he may not be as motivated to keep it going Emoticon

@Chris (2) - Glad you like my parking pass tip Emoticon

I have recommended that for years; I don't use it because I have a handicapped permit (I have VERY bad knees and hip), so I get to park up front too (if I'm not staying on campus). I also want to thank you for the plug for the Taking Notes podcast. It was a blast, and I hope it is entertaining and informative for everyone!

@John (3) - Yeah, never leave that minibar key laying around - or you will pay DEARLY. LOL

@Greg (4) - You're right, the Meet the Devs (MtD) session is a great session; however I would also like to strongly suggest the BP version of that session, GURUpalooza. GURUpalooza is the hour before MtD, and is in the same room. It is a panel Q&A with all of the speakers in the Best Practices track, and is a great opportunity to ask some of the brightest minds in our industry any question you have.

Thanks for the posts everyone - keep them coming!

Rock

Posted by Rock At 02:47:05 PM On 01/17/2008 | - Website - |

3 - Make sure to hit the Meet The Developers session on the last day, Thurdsay morning. The room is crowded, but it's well worth the price of admission. Basically, it's all the people showing up asking all the IBM folks about problems with the products, and asking them to fix things. It's a hoot.

Posted by Greg Walrath At 02:39:01 PM On 01/17/2008 | - Website - |

4 - Rocky, any idea what's up with Turtle? His Lotusphere site is still for '07.

Posted by Timothy Briley At 12:59:35 PM On 01/17/2008 | - Website - |

5 - Well, one I would add is to lock down your mini bar .. John Roling would highly recommend that.

Posted by john head At 01:58:27 PM On 01/17/2008 | - Website - |

6 - Don't forget my now favorite tip for those of us who had to get a hotel off-site and have a rental car:

Get someone that's staying at the Dolphin or Swan to get you "their" parking pass. If they didn't bring a car - they're still entitled to it, and you can use it to drive directly up to the parking lot instead of shuttling in from Blizzard Beach.

I'd also re-stress the need for ALL attendees to take an hour out of their lives and listen to the latest Taking Notes podcast. I came away with some really great tips, and it gives the people who might be a little hesitant in contacting a VP of Products Emoticon

an idea of the type of people that they can expect to meet when they get to grounds - some of the genuinely best people you'll ever meet!