Lotusphere 2009: Lotusphere idol returns!
November 13 2008
Over the last few days, 99% of Lotusphere session acceptance/rejections have gone out to those who submitted proposals. Congratulations to those whose proposals were accepted -- as Rocky wrote the other day, this was another tough year for the track managers! Many, many great abstracts were proposed and we're going to have another excellent conference.
Now, on the minus side, I've seen some public grumbling by those whose proposals were not accepted, on twitter or blogs. I tweeted about this the other day and heard from some with guilty consciences -- but not from the grumblers. Of course, I understand that some are disappointed, but there are professional ways to express that (and I saw some fine examples of that as well).
So, rather than just grumble back, I'd like to offer some advice, and an opportunity. If you weren't accepted as a speaker, you may need to build up your resume. Are you speaking at other conferences -- ILUG, UKLUG, Admin/Developer, Entwicklercamp, or user group meetings? Are you blogging or contributing to content in a way that demonstrates your subject-matter expertise? These are all factors that track managers take into consideration when selecting sessions.
There is another opportunity, too. At Lotusphere 2008, we introduced Lotusphere Idol! Lotusphere Idol will return for Lotusphere 2009, and I will once again be hosting the session. During Lotusphere Idol, 4-6 contestants will have the opportunity to give a short presentation. A panel of expert judges will decide which contestant is Lotusphere Idol! The winner will get their own speaking slot on the Thursday Lotusphere agenda, and have the opportunity to work with track managers and coaches to get ready for that session.
We'll begin the contestant search process in a month or so, and I will post updates accordingly.
Last, in case you are wondering, I will be speaking at Lotusphere 2009. On Business Development Day, David Via (who replaced me as the worldwide product sales executive for Notes/Domino) and I will discuss the realities of Notes/Domino TCO and the competitive landscape. During the main conference, Brent Peters (VP Notes/Domino Product Development) and I will present the Notes/Domino strategy session. My calendar for Lotusphere 2009 looks a bit different than in past years, but I'm sure it will be the usual wild ride. That is especially true because registration continues to trend ahead of numbers for Lotusphere 2008. Now if we can figure out the little issue of this US presidential inauguration, which overlaps the conference on Tuesday morning...TiVo anyone?
Post a Comment
- 2
Eric Mack http://www.NotesOnProductivity.com | 11/13/2008 4:21:57 PM
Ed. Comments are closed on Rocky's blog, so I'll ask here. Rocky's post on the Idol contest (from 2008) mentions only two categories, "Admin" and "Developer". Will there be a third category for "Application" - similar to the speed geeking at ILUG?
- 3
Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 11/13/2008 5:23:34 PM
@2 I'd be open to it, but we haven't written the detailed rules yet for '09. Either way, though, you're already a Lotusphere speaker -- Idol! is only open to people who are not already (nor have recently been) Lotusphere speakers.
- 4
Chris Toohey http://www.dominoguru.com | 11/13/2008 9:46:41 PM
Excellent news Ed! I'll do a little write-up on my end (having been a former Idol! contestant) urging people who meet the criteria to submit their abstracts ASAP!
- 5
Greg Walrath http://www.gregwalrath.com/ | 11/13/2008 9:50:33 PM
I'd echo what Vowe said, but take it a step further: Let's just put big screens in the dining tent(s), since the inauguration is at noon eastern time.
- 6
Randy Smith http://www.certprimer.com | 11/14/2008 3:53:47 PM
I don't know about anyone else, but for me the Lotusphere early bird registration deadline of November 7th was very bad timing, given the ecomonic uncertanties we've been experiencing recently.
@Ed - Have you heard of any rumors about extending the early bird discount?
- 7
Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 11/15/2008 5:09:39 PM
@6 no plans to extend the discount - while I understand some of the challenges, registration is ahead year-to-year. Difficult to consider changing the rules when the price change has already passed.
- 8
Rock http://www.lotusgeek.com | 11/17/2008 3:34:35 PM
Also, if someone is chosen to present a breakout session at Lotusphere, and they've already registered, they can get a full refund of their registration, or they can transfer it to someone else and not incur the transfer fee.
I know it isn't an optimal solution, but it is something to keep in mind for next year.
- 9
Rock http://www.lotusgeek.com | 11/17/2008 3:36:19 PM
BTW, comments are NOT closed on the blog entry linked to in this entry. Is someone seeing anything differently?
- 10
Randy Smith http://www.certprimer.com | 11/18/2008 11:08:25 AM
@8 - I might be interested in purchasing a Lotusphere registration at the early bird discount price from someone who got a speaking gig. So if you know of someone, please have them contact me at: rsmith<AT>rdsmithconsulting<DOT>com
Note: I would also expect a front row seat reserved for me in the session they're speaking at :-)
- 11
Carl Tyler http://www.iminstant.com | 11/19/2008 8:19:49 AM
Who plays Simon Cowell?
That should be an easy one. Put the the festivities on screen in some of the larger ballrooms, and schedule all Websphere sessions in the other breakout rooms at the same time. Plus, maybe the strategy sessions for products that don't have a future.