OK... so Lotusphere 2009 is going to be entirely out of my own pocket, it seems...
Category Lotusphere2009
Gee, my first Lotusphere 2009 post, and it's not even "good" news...
I was given a heads-up today that in all likelihood, my request to attend Lotusphere 2009 would be turned down. It's budget related, and given the economy I can understand. I *am* happy that they let me know early on, however. The positive is that my time there will be considered "training" and not personal time off. I appreciate that quite a bit.
Still, Lotusphere is a conference that I will NOT miss unless my personal and professional life is in shambles, which it's not. It's just a matter of cutting my own out-of-pocket costs as much as possible.
Speaking... as I've done in prior years, I'll submit abstracts to speak. I'd do that regardless of who was paying, as I love speaking and sharing at Lotusphere. And to think that a room full of people used to terrify me. Now I just have to make sure my abstracts are *really* compelling this time. :) Being that this will be "my" conference event (much like me paying for the ILUG experience), I'm much more open to potentially presenting with others more than once. Therefore, if you have a good idea for a session and would like to partner on something, definitely let me know. I want to milk the most out of my Lotusphere experience this time around.
Airfare... too bad my wife has already used all our frequent flyer miles for other trips. :) Have to start watching for good airfare deals from Portland to Orlando.
Hotel... I'm a Dolphin junkie when it comes to staying on site at Lotusphere. Swan's not too bad, either. And I think I can find my way back to Yacht and Beach Club in the dark. We're also Disney Vacation Club members, and my wife figures I could stay part of the time at The Boardwalk using points during the Monday - Thursday stint, but I hate having to mess with switching rooms midway through the event. If anyone is up for splitting a room, feel free to email me. I promise not to be sick this year (sorry, Joe). Yes, I have been known to snore (sorry again, Joe and Bruce). Yes, I will provide earplugs (you're welcome). And I promise to be less messy than Bruce claims I was the year I roomed with him... really.
1997 was my first Lotusphere. The only one I missed was 2002, which *did* coincide with my personal and professional life being in shambles (post-Enron, post 9/11). I think it says something about a conference and community when *not* attending a conference is not a personal option, especially when it doesn't involve drumming up business for the company you work for. I have a hard time imagining not getting my January "fix" that comes with Lotusphere... You all have become too much a part of my life to not have that one week of real-life, face-to-face interaction.
Actually, when I mentioned this to the family this evening, Ian came up with an idea immediately. I'm available for sponsorship opportunities for YOUR company! Want me to wear your t-shirt? Your company hat? Do you want your company logo on my laptop? Temporary tattoos down the arms (I'm almost always wearing short sleeves!) Ping me via email, and we can discuss a sponsorship deal! Body, apparel, hardware, and blog all have a price and can be purchased. :)
Gee, my first Lotusphere 2009 post, and it's not even "good" news...
I was given a heads-up today that in all likelihood, my request to attend Lotusphere 2009 would be turned down. It's budget related, and given the economy I can understand. I *am* happy that they let me know early on, however. The positive is that my time there will be considered "training" and not personal time off. I appreciate that quite a bit.
Still, Lotusphere is a conference that I will NOT miss unless my personal and professional life is in shambles, which it's not. It's just a matter of cutting my own out-of-pocket costs as much as possible.
Speaking... as I've done in prior years, I'll submit abstracts to speak. I'd do that regardless of who was paying, as I love speaking and sharing at Lotusphere. And to think that a room full of people used to terrify me. Now I just have to make sure my abstracts are *really* compelling this time. :) Being that this will be "my" conference event (much like me paying for the ILUG experience), I'm much more open to potentially presenting with others more than once. Therefore, if you have a good idea for a session and would like to partner on something, definitely let me know. I want to milk the most out of my Lotusphere experience this time around.
Airfare... too bad my wife has already used all our frequent flyer miles for other trips. :) Have to start watching for good airfare deals from Portland to Orlando.
Hotel... I'm a Dolphin junkie when it comes to staying on site at Lotusphere. Swan's not too bad, either. And I think I can find my way back to Yacht and Beach Club in the dark. We're also Disney Vacation Club members, and my wife figures I could stay part of the time at The Boardwalk using points during the Monday - Thursday stint, but I hate having to mess with switching rooms midway through the event. If anyone is up for splitting a room, feel free to email me. I promise not to be sick this year (sorry, Joe). Yes, I have been known to snore (sorry again, Joe and Bruce). Yes, I will provide earplugs (you're welcome). And I promise to be less messy than Bruce claims I was the year I roomed with him... really.
1997 was my first Lotusphere. The only one I missed was 2002, which *did* coincide with my personal and professional life being in shambles (post-Enron, post 9/11). I think it says something about a conference and community when *not* attending a conference is not a personal option, especially when it doesn't involve drumming up business for the company you work for. I have a hard time imagining not getting my January "fix" that comes with Lotusphere... You all have become too much a part of my life to not have that one week of real-life, face-to-face interaction.
Actually, when I mentioned this to the family this evening, Ian came up with an idea immediately. I'm available for sponsorship opportunities for YOUR company! Want me to wear your t-shirt? Your company hat? Do you want your company logo on my laptop? Temporary tattoos down the arms (I'm almost always wearing short sleeves!) Ping me via email, and we can discuss a sponsorship deal! Body, apparel, hardware, and blog all have a price and can be purchased. :)
Comments
None of that pussy washout stuff, though. You'd have to be a real man and use the permanent stuff.
Oooh... or remembering that story you told about falling asleep at your desk after taking an Ambien. Maybe you need to be the Yellow King for the whole week. Instead of the traditional royal purple, we could get you a yellow crown, and a yellow cape, and a yellow scepter. That would rock.
(Okay, I'm totally kidding. I don't mean to imply that we're in the market for a walking billboard for 'sphere next year. I have a feeling I'm expected to fill that role for the next 5 years or so. At least until my kid's old enough to understand that bright yellow hair is just wrong.)
Posted by Nathan T. Freeman At 18:51:18 On 07/08/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Duffbert At 19:18:28 On 07/08/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Jess Stratton At 19:22:43 On 07/08/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Duffbert At 19:49:03 On 07/08/2008 | - Website - |
I stay offsite by downtown disney for various reasons, but then I drive up from Boca raton so just hop in the car, use my friends room pass at the dolphin and park outside the session rooms.
But look on the bright side, whatever happens in lotusphere stays in lotusphere.
Posted by Keith Brooks At 20:06:45 On 07/08/2008 | - Website - |
I know it's hard to get funding to get to Lotusphere. I managed to get mine this year
For us Europeans it's great that the dollar is that low for a conference like Lotusphere but the airfare is not cheap.
Hope to see you speaking at LS... Last time it was a pleasure see you speak.
CU Boudewijn
Posted by Boudewijn van Rijnsoever At 23:18:03 On 07/08/2008 | - Website - |
(IBM are you listening???)
Mind you i do like the idea of the yellow Nathan, if we can't persuade Tom, will you go down the route of All Yellow not just the hair, in fact what if you lost the hair and went for the "blue men" (the mime act) look? That would be way cool!
Posted by Steve McDonagh At 01:25:24 On 08/08/2008 | - Website - |
---* Bill "Dancing on the pianoman" Buchan
Posted by Bill At 01:33:35 On 08/08/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Barry At 08:49:59 On 08/08/2008 | - Website - |