Taking Lotusphere ’04 momentum to the next step/stop.... (updated regarding comments)

February 24 2004

On my way out of Cambridge today, I ran into Sandra Marcus and Kristin Keene (no, I can't explain why she was in the office eleven days after having a baby...).  The initial results from the Lotusphere '04 survey are in, and the feedback has been really really good.
So we got to talking, and the question was, so now what?  With that kind of positive momentum, should Lotus run some other events this year?  In the past, we've done a variety of other conferences, some of them very successful, and some of them have been missed.  I doubt that Lotusphere Europe could be brought back, but there are other pieces in the repertoire.  Or we could create new ideas.
I volunteered to use the blog for a little informal market research.... what events might interest you?  Where and when?  I already have some ideas on location from reading the Turtle's polls prior to Lotusphere '04.  Other thoughts welcome...
Update: Seem to have hit some kind of comments limit or something.  A few of the comments aren't appearing.  But I've posted them as responses to this new topic.

Ed Brill | Logan Int’l Airport, Boston MA USA Category:  Lotusphere 2004  Add/View Comments [35]

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  1. 1  Neil  | 2/25/2004 9:05:42 AM

    I would be interested in some UK events up north (Manchester), because I live there!!

    I would be interested in some previews of Domino 7 specifically webservices and DB2, and Websphere portal integration....

    Can believe it I am using the "W" word

  1. 2  Jack Ratcliff  | 2/25/2004 9:27:32 AM

    I couldn't make it to Lotusphere this year so anything you could do in the Atlanta area would be great!

  1. 3  Libby http://www.notesgirl.com | 2/25/2004 9:42:20 AM

    Selfish location wants aside (although I definitely understand those, guys!), what about bringing back the Lotus DevCon?

    My understanding from the dW team is that the developerWorks Live! event this summer will not have very much Lotus-specific content. That leaves an opening that hasn't been there for a while.

    In addition, from past research, the DevCons were very popular events with attendees. I surely know I liked them...

    What does everyone else think?

  1. 4  Ed Brill www.edbrill.com | 2/25/2004 10:20:48 AM

    that seems like the kind of thing they are thinking about. Anyone else have an opinion?

  1. 5  Scott  | 2/25/2004 10:26:42 AM

    I know that in the past, you have held multi-city events a few weeks after Lotusphere in select markets. The "Lotusphere Comes to You" events, I know, are appreciated especially by those who were unable to attend. Not sure if you're planning those this year or not.

    Also, it seems like another multi-city event should be held, approximately in June/July timeframe ("Halfway to Lotusphere"), possibly coordinated through the local user groups, to brief Lotus technology workers on what Lotus has delivered (based on promises from previous LS), what is coming in the near future, what has changed, etc.

    I think everyone needs to be clear from a product and strategy roadmap and Lotus needs to continue to present the most up-to-date information. Although many of us "get it" now, there are still many who are confused and listen to the FUD that was circulating, even as late as 2 years ago. Until only the most clueless of those are left unable to articulate the Lotus roadmap/strategy, I think it should remain the primary marketing and user education focus.

  1. 6  John Coolidge  | 2/25/2004 10:32:45 AM

    Ed I have been to many Lotuspheres (This one was by far the best. hands on sessions especially) and only one devcon. If the devcon was more hands on it would be fantastic. I could not justify going to developerworks based on the content I have seen in the past. But the Devcons would be assumed that I went.

    The blog is great

    John

  1. 7  Massimo Ricotta  | 2/25/2004 10:50:50 AM

    I thought the satellite broadcasts were a very good way to give updates 3-4 times a year on specific topics and allowed people to stay current on the latest news from Lotus

    I used to attend them regularly and I think they are very much missed.

  1. 8  Ben Langhinrichs http://www.GeniiSoft.com | 2/25/2004 11:20:53 AM

    One of the problems with the Lotusphere Comes to You type events is that the whole BP track is missed, and my understanding is that it was a very popular track. If you still videotaped the sessions, you could at least show those, but otherwise, a DevCon type approach where some of the outside speakers can attend as well might be good. Either that, or have the travelling roadshow cycle through some of the outside speakers.

    Of course, as one of those speakers, this may be a bit biased, but I do think that otherwise the roadshows can seem a bit too marketing driven.

    By the way, I think it is great that you are asking. I would love to see more of the excitement carried through during the year.

  1. 9  Brian  | 2/25/2004 11:25:43 AM

    Lots 'o webcasts, about many topics. Recordings are great. Give me a web form to "tell a friend" where they can view the recorded webcast.

  1. 10  Scott  | 2/25/2004 12:24:13 PM

    I think one paid event sponsored by Lotus (Lotusphere) is enough for one year. I think you risk losing your target audience when you offer additional conferences at a cost. Then you begin to lose techies from LS who prefer Devcon and managers who prefer Florida in January to Boston in the summer, etc. You already have the View and Advisor conferences, as well as general IT conferences throughout the year.

    I think you ask yourself whether your goal is to spread the word about Lotus technology or simply offer alternates to LS? You are likely marketing against yourselves. Very few companies today can offer to send employees to even one, let alone, multiple conferences per year. The days of unlimited travel budgets are history.

    By offering the local multi-city tours, you reach all those who were at LS and even include many more who weren't able to attend due to lack of budget or other reasons.

    I agree with Ben that a key component should be, not only the roadmap/strategy that I mentioned, but key BPs and industry experts outside of Lotus presenting on technical subjects. Some of the best technical LS sessions are those given by these folks. The strategy and competitive presentations should be given by Lotus staff, though.

  1. 11  Chris  | 2/25/2004 12:27:40 PM

    In the past, I though nothing of attending Lotusphere and DevCon. I think in my current fiscal situation, I would need to choose for next year; however...

    DevCon would be an outstanding opportunity for Lotus to begin to offer transition courses/presentations for ND Developers to move into Db2 and Java/J2EE.

  1. 12  Simon  | 2/25/2004 1:22:23 PM

    Based in the UK makes it virtually impossible to get to Lotusphere unless I pay for it myself. Therefore, I really rely on webcasts to keep myself and my team informed on latest Lotus info.

    The Masters webcasts were excellent, as were the original Partner webcasts. Third Thursdays are OK but there is nothing like seeing someone on streamed video and its even better when they use demos.

    Ideally, webcasts should be frequent and last no more than 45 mins (i.e. perfect for getting a few people around a projector and watching it over lunch).

  1. 13  Adam Osborne  | 2/25/2004 2:09:43 PM

    How about bringing back Lotus Fusion ? (the mini Lotusphere that Lotus ran in Australia).

    There is currently zip,zero Lotus/IBM multi day conferences being run in this part of the world.

    (IBM stealth marketing is working wonders over here...lol)

  1. 14  Ed Brill www.edbrill.com | 2/25/2004 2:24:02 PM

    but don't count on it ;) We have a new marketing director for Lotus in AP, when I meet her, I'll ask about plans for anything of the sort.

    Of course, to a small degree, my interest in bringing back Fusion was that it was a guaranteed annual trip to QLD -- "beautiful one day, perfect the next"

  1. 15  Geoff Mether  | 2/25/2004 2:43:38 PM

    A lot of my contracting peers have to fund their own training, since it was a tax deduction, they could justify a trip to Fusion. I was contemplating a trip to LS, unfortunately with the distance, time off work and cost ... it didn't add up ... though with the Aussie Battler (AUS$) doing so well, I might make it next year. Though I definately would make it to Fusion if that was on.

  1. 16  Scott Kingery http://users.tns.net/~skingery/weblog/blogger.html | 2/25/2004 3:06:42 PM

    DevCons were great (the old ones that focused on Lotus Notes/Domino). Websphere should be included now but the new DW Live! event doesn't have much in the way of ND stuff. Especially the product showcase.

    Lotusphere comes to you is also a great event for those that couldn't make it to Florida. Even if you could make it is has updated info.

    And what ever happened to Lotus Masters Broadcast Connection?? That was pretty cool. I suppose it could be done in a web cast now but I remember going to the local IBM office and viewing it via Satellite.

  1. 17  Duffbert  | 2/25/2004 3:17:05 PM

    ... getting Joe and I there, Team-TSG would be happy to reprise the Java For The Domino Developer session whereever... especially Australia...

  1. 18  Rob Wunderlich www.dominounplugged.com | 2/25/2004 3:40:14 PM

    ... and would volunteer to do a 'deliver Domino apps to mobile devices' session if that would take me to Australia ...

    Last DevCon I went to was in Las Vegas ... was a great conference ...

    Seems like the folks at The VIEW have taken up where DevCon left off ...

  1. 19  Rob Wunderlich www.dominounplugged.com | 2/25/2004 3:47:52 PM

    Weren't you griping about not having seen Cirque du Soleil's "O" ... if you guys do whatever it is you're going to do in Vegas, you'd have your chance.

    I'll buy ...

  1. 20  Richard B  | 2/25/2004 4:06:06 PM

    Seriously ... would it be DevCon or just Rational indoctrination ... the acid test would be whether there would be any .Net sessions for those of us that won't use Websphere and Rational

  1. 21  Melissa Gena http://melissagena.com | 2/25/2004 5:22:18 PM

    I, too, would love to see DevCon revived.

  1. 22  Bruce Elgort http://www.BruceElgort.com | 2/25/2004 5:43:56 PM

    I loved Devcons.......and I also loved the Masters Broadcasts.

  1. 23  Kerry Kilpatrick  | 2/25/2004 7:28:12 PM

    In the past we used to have a 3 day LotusFusion conference in March. In 2002 we had IBM Software Universe, which covered Lotus, WebSphere, DB2, Tivoli. It was an absolute diaster!!

    Last year we had nothing, despite assurance that we would revert to the LotusFusion format. This year is looking pretty bleak as well.

    We do get half day briefings etc but it is not thesame as a three day conference, with the chance to mix with peers and presenters.

    I heard on the grapevine we are to have a 1/2 day presentation on LotusSphere highlights.

    Anyways, do not forget about your loyal customers down under.

    Cheers

  1. 24  G.C.  | 2/25/2004 8:35:46 PM

    LotusFusion in Australia was quite a popular event. (i can remember attendances of around 2000+ in previous years). Then with the websphere juggernaut it all seemed to evaporate which was especially reflected with ibm universe, the tech-wreck and alot of FUD started to have an effect. (Mind you the bulk of attendees at the ibm universe at that time were still domino related.)

    I think that was a reflection of how IBM moved it's attention away from lotus marketing during the R5 and early D6 eras. From what i have read recently from Lotusphere, the momentum is growing again. The focus appears to be more about integration with existing technology. I think this is the key, you have to keep it relevant to your audience.

    I think the australian market is quite small for the heavy duty IBM products, but the domino customer base is a huge cash cow. So if you can look at presenting new technology from a domino-centric perspective I think you will get a better result in any country, (not just australia).

    Does anyone have any view on this type of approach ?

  1. 25  Gregg Eldred  | 2/25/2004 9:17:39 PM

    I totally understand the need or want for webcasts and the Lotus Masters series. A lot of exposure for very little cost (both for IBM and the consumers). However, the need for us to connect with others of a like mind cannot be understated. What 'Sphere, DevCon, Admin200x, have going for them is that there are real people, in a great environment, coming together to share a common purpose. Can you get that to happen on the web? Not even Sametime can interact on a personal, human, level. To keep the momentum or drive going, we need to connect more. The iSeries people have it pretty good, COMMON is twice a year, pretty much on one side of the US or the other. The 'Sphere Comes to You is good, but we all know the people that show up for those, after all, we probably work with each other. That is nice, but you don't get the international flavor of the products that we use, nor do you get an appreciation for the amazing things that are going on, on both sides of the pond.

    HTH.

  1. 26  dgg  | 2/25/2004 9:43:54 PM

    I agree with Greg . . . don't know that I'd actually be able to make it (having already gone to the 'sphere), but I think a person-to-person experience is beneficial on many different levels. It always amazes and inspires me to hear what others are doing with Notes/Domino (and, OK, maybe Websphere on occasion too).

    dgg

  1. 27  Ben Poole http://www.benpoole.com | 2/26/2004 3:58:47 AM

    ... webcasts are probably high up on th elist for many., The fact is, most of us never get to attend Lotusphere, devCon, etc., etc., nor will we. So free stuff is good!

  1. 28  Justin Freeman  | 2/26/2004 4:20:03 AM

    C'mon down under and strut your stuff. Lotus Fusion was awesome and I would love to see it return as the annual event for Domino freaks like me.

  1. 29  Wild Bill http://www.billbuchan.com | 2/26/2004 8:31:27 AM

    last one I went to was a *hoot*...

    Probably more demo and hands on labs to help spread the portal message and get folks over that "hump"...

    --* Bill

  1. 30  David  | 2/26/2004 8:52:29 AM

    In 1996(ish) there was a Lotus Notes show here in Winnipeg. I think 400-500 people came to watch an IBM/SystemHouse demostration of an R4 Lotus Web enabled application. It was pretty technical and would probably be beyond most of today's CIOs but, none the less it was a large portion of the business community gather on Lotus Notes ground. I actually had my name drawn for a free copy full copy of Domino (in hind sight I should have handed it to an IT manager of a large company in the hopesof generating a major future customer .. but alas).

    Anyway, hold one of these in every city (Canada at least). But, please do not deliver the currently typical IBM Websphere clouded message. There is a large client here who really needs to understand that there 3000 seat install of Notes is just fine. So two messages. 1)Lotus Notes by itself is an awesome platform (no need for Websphere here), 2)the Workplace stuff.

    Serve coffee and low carb snacks.

  1. 31  Alan Lepofsky  | 2/26/2004 9:02:14 AM

    David... has the customer you mentioned read the whitepapers:

    Protect and enrich your Lotus Notes and Lotus Domino investments within a collaborative platform to drive productivity.

    http://www-3.ibm.com/software/swnews/swnews.nsf/n/jmae5sxlzr?OpenDocument&Site=lotus

    Domino Applications and the Lotus Workplace technical strategy

    http://www.lotus.com/products/product4.nsf/wdocs/d3ecdf4b0897dda885256dc10054a4e2

    and/or watched the webcast of Lotusphere's keynote?

    If so, please tell me what messages they are still unclear about, and how I can help.

    They should be feeling very excited about their 3000 seats, about upgrading to 6.5... not having any worry.

  1. 32  NotesDude  | 2/26/2004 1:58:18 PM

    For those of us unable to attend the actual Lotusphere in Florida, the "Lotusphere comes to YOU" event in various cities has always been an interesting and valuable experience. Can we continue to look forward to seeing these ? Thx !

  1. 33  Bob Balaban http://www.looseleaf.net | 2/26/2004 7:02:44 PM

    Since Lotus dropped the spring/summer devcons a few years ago, the gap seems to have been well filled by Advisor Media and others. In fact, Advisor is having one in Las Vegas in June (I will be one of the speakers).

    There's also a great event in Germany in May (DNUG), and another next week (I believe Ed is a speaker at next week's, and is usually a speaker at DNUG as well).

    And whatever happened to DeveoperWorks Live, anyway?

  1. 34  Ed Brill  | 2/26/2004 8:30:48 PM

    Two comments gone missing...