Lotusphere Tips for the n00bs...
Category Lotusphere
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Ed. Note: I posted this last year, but I thought it would be good to repost and update it, since Lotusphere is next week. Enjoy, and add to this if you have a great tip! **Rock
OK, I am getting really excited. Lotusphere 2005 is next week, and I am ready to get down there! The CULT shirts are done and look GREAT (and the theme is kewl this year), 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...
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 a wireless card - if you don't have one, get one - they're cheap now (~$20? C'mon!). There is a HUGE wireless cloud over Lotusphere, and connectivity should be great. Last year there was a problem early on because the Lotusphere network weenies didn't anticipate the number of wireless geeks, but I have been assured that this year they are ready for the onslaught. Wireless is so popular, in fact, that I had people downloading the slides and examples to my session while they were in the session. That is a new twist, and definitely kewl. 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, or finding me or Andrew. We did over 1,500 shirts this year, so there should be plenty to go around - if you get to one of us 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.
- You should take some time (at least a couple of hours) to check out the labs - especially 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 the Workplace initiative as possible. 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. This year because of the way we reworked the session schedule we will have much more 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.
- Speaking of the agenda, you can download an awesome LS Agenda db from Ben (built with Midas, of course).
- Bring a jacket - something you can stuff in your conference bag - cause it can be cool sometimes, and it can rain at any time. In fact the weather channel is saying it may be cool next week, so be 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.
- 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.
- A bunch of us will be at ESPN Club on the Boardwalk on Sunday day and evening to watch the NFL NFC Championship (the Atlanta Falcons at the Philadelphia Eagles) and the AFC Championship (the New England Patriots at the Pittsburgh Steelers). I'll be there because my Falcons are playing.
- Fill out the session evals and conference eval at the end. The Lotus staff takes those evals very seriously, and use them to make changes to the show for future years. Your opinion is valued!
- 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.
OK, that's all that has come to my mind while writing this. Do you have any others? Post them here!
Rock
**Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.
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Comments
Posted by Alan Lepofsky At 09:49:08 PM On 01/20/2005 | - Website - |
Jack
Posted by Jack Ratcliff At 03:59:15 PM On 01/18/2005 | - Website - |
-Devin.
Posted by Devin Olson At 04:06:31 PM On 01/18/2005 | - Website - |
Posted by Andrew Pollack At 11:52:15 AM On 01/19/2005 | - Website - |
But, if Atlanta gets by Philly, I still think that both AFC teams are better and Atlanta isn't going to stand a chance.
I hope I'm wrong though!!
Posted by Jack Ratcliff At 04:13:28 PM On 01/18/2005 | - Website - |
Posted by John Coolidge At 04:07:01 PM On 01/18/2005 | - Website - |
Posted by Tim Leach At 08:20:58 AM On 01/19/2005 | - Website - |
2. The meal tents are 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.
3. 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.
4. Don't bring just one pair of comfortable walking shoes. Bring two, with different arch supports, and alternate them.
-rich
-rich
Posted by Richard Schwartz At 09:16:25 PM On 01/18/2005 | - Website - |
Rock
Posted by Rock At 04:39:56 PM On 01/19/2005 | - Website - |
Posted by John Coolidge At 09:02:53 PM On 01/18/2005 | - Website - |
Thanks.
Posted by Curt Stone At 02:44:57 PM On 01/19/2005 | - Website - |
kudos.
Posted by jonvon At 03:53:55 PM On 01/19/2005 | - Website - |