Have Big Conferences Changed in 20 Years?

By Dennis D. McDonald

Luis Suarez’ recent 10 Things I Learned from IBM’s Lotusphere 2008 to Help Prepare for Lotusphere 2009! reminded me of the days when I was a frequent conference goer, presenter, booth-manager, software demonstrator, occasional keynoter, and overall party-goer. I have especially fond memories of arriving in London for a big show minus 100% of the equipment and software for my company’s booth, and having to return to Heathrow the next day to extract a follow up shipment from those jolly folks in British Customs. Yes, those were the days!

I especially like Luis’ listing of the following two rules:

4. Get easy on late nights and alcohol

6. Hang out more at the bar(s)

Luis, when you figure these two out, let me know!

Comments

[Luis Suarez]

Hi Dennis! LOL!!! Ahhh, you spotted it, eh? I thought that no-one did and look at that! You did! Yes, notice the suttle difference on "late nights & alcohol" and "hang out more at the bars" (Without drinking!!). heh

Yeah, that was the big difference for me. Late nights with alcohol is a very bad combination for the next day, whereas late nights hanging out at the bar talking more than drinking would probably be just the right combo! Yes, I know, subtle, very subtle, exactly what I tried to conveyed. Bars are good for drinking, but some times it is better to have some water in between to adjust! ;-)