Lotusphere 2007 demographics

January 16 2007

With just a few days left for additional registrants, I checked this week's update on Lotusphere attendance with a bit of anticipation.  Now, the actual numbers are IBM confidential, but I can report some interesting data points:

  • First, yes, it's bigger than last year.
  • More than 25% of the attendees are from Europe
  • Business development day will draw a record turnout
  • More than half the attendees are IBM Certified Professionals
  • There are over 300 speakers
  • The stated preference is chicken not beef, and most are hoping for Sacha Baron Cohen as the keynote guest speaker (though are divided as to whether Borat or Ali G would be more interesting)

Update: This picture arrived in my inbox shortly after posting -- apparently Ali G is part of the staff contingent at Lotusphere 2007:

Image:Lotusphere 2007 demographics

Ed Brill Highland Park, IL USA Category:  Lotusphere2007  Add/View Comments [19]

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  1. 1  Alan Bell http://www.dominux.co.uk | 1/16/2007 10:47:24 AM

    What was the total for last year? Does the number of profiles in the LSonline portal accurately reflect the number of attendees?

  1. 2  Nathan T. Freeman http://www.lotus911.com/nathan/escape.nsf | 1/16/2007 10:55:22 AM

    Personally, I'd prefer SBC do his keynote as Julien.

    { Link }

  1. 3  Nathan T. Freeman http://www.lotus911.com/nathan/escape.nsf | 1/16/2007 10:56:55 AM

    Or maybe as Jean Girard. He can make us all like really thin pancakes.

  1. 4  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 1/16/2007 11:13:22 AM

    @1 as I said, the actual numbers are IBM confidential.

  1. 5  Henry Ferlauto http://www.geniusinside.com | 1/16/2007 11:25:57 AM

    If "Borat" is the featured speaker for the opening session, please make sure the "chase" scene towards the end of the movie is not duplicated. :)

  1. 6  Greg Micher  | 1/16/2007 12:49:44 PM

    VERY NICE! <grin>

  1. 7  Ports http://www.mrports.com/ | 1/16/2007 1:47:43 PM

    Jagshemash!

  1. 8  Johannes Madsen http://www.teamsoft.dk | 1/16/2007 3:02:35 PM

    How do you know if I prefer beef or chicken? Is that something I should register? Where?

    Kind regards

    Johannes

    First time LotusPhere

  1. 9  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 1/16/2007 3:18:25 PM

    Oh, man, open mouth insert foot -- That was a joke! The buffet is what the buffet is, there's no meal preference voting for LS. I thought by tying that to the reference to Sacha Baron Cohen most would see it as my one humorous bullet amongst the lot...

  1. 10  Keith Brooks http://kbmsg.blogspot.com | 1/16/2007 3:21:34 PM

    um, there was a way to order something, although I don't think i ordered kosher meals this time.

    Ed I have a story for you about mr. cohen if I catch up with you in Orlando.

  1. 11  Charles Robinson http://cubert-codepoet.blogspot.com | 1/16/2007 3:45:10 PM

    I've never heard of Sacha Baron Cohen, but he couldn't be any worse than that D-list unfunny weirdo was who talked to himself last year.

    Scratch that, I looked up Sacha, and I would skip the keynote or closing rather than endure Borat.

  1. 12  Richard Fenwick  | 1/16/2007 6:55:59 PM

    Ali G, is from Staines (or Staines Massive.. as the big man calls it)…Lotus have on office in Staines….hmmm…. maybe ‘mi Julie’ temps at the office!

    PS want lamb…Ed make sure they have lamb ;)

  1. 13  Simon Barratt http://apps.fmc.com/blog.nsf | 1/16/2007 7:06:08 PM

    so long as he keeps his batty crack under control, you will be just fine

  1. 14  Richard Schwartz http://www.rhs.com/poweroftheschwartz | 1/16/2007 7:25:11 PM

    @11 Charles: no Hot Pockets for you! ;-)

  1. 15  Nathan T. Freeman http://www.lotus911.com/nathan/escape.nsf | 1/16/2007 10:15:22 PM

    @12 - Did he work at the Siemens office there? *big grin*

    @11 - thrpppppppppppt.... ya big stick-in-the-mud. You really are from the buckle of the bible belt. ;-) (Disclaimer: my father has lived in South Carolina for most of my life.)

  1. 16  Henry Ferlauto http://www.geniusinside.com | 1/16/2007 10:43:18 PM

    @5 (Me) - Scratch that thought.

    Track down Charles @11 - You can run, but you can't hide. :)

  1. 17  john wylie  | 1/17/2007 8:38:28 AM

    Last years comedian was Jim Gaffigan. Most of the crowd around where i was sitting thought he was really very good, apart from an individual in front of us who "tutted" at every risqué comment - making these comments all the more funny

  1. 18  Charles Robinson http://cubert-codepoet.blogspot.com | 1/17/2007 11:43:09 AM

    @15 - I don't think Borat is inflammatory or provocative, and I'm not offended by him, I just don't find his shtick the least bit funny. *shrug*

    @16 - I'm not sure exactly why you're searching for me, but I've posted the list of sessions I'll be attending so I shouldn't be too hard to find. :)

  1. 19  Mike Robinson http:/www.invcs.com | 1/20/2007 1:10:16 PM

    I'm sure *hoping* Lotus books someone else.