Steve Mullen's Blog

Reflections on My First Lotusphere

February 6, 2012 at 8:49 pm | Posted in IBM, Lotus, Lotusphere, LS12 | 1 Comment

After attending the past two Lotusphere conferences virtually, I was finally able to attend in person. This year DAI sent seven staff to Lotusphere. I registered early and booked into the Dolphin. I like to stay at conference headquarters hotel whenever possible; I’m glad I did this time. I read as much first time attendee information as I could and am glad I did – thanks Andy and Sharon! I purchased a portable charger as Andy suggested and used it ever day! I even posted a blog entry with links to Lotusphere resources, it was largely for my own reference but hope other’s found it useful. I took the time during the week before Lotusphere to plan my schedule and blogged it and, of course, added it to my Notes calendar – glad I did.

I was fortunate to make it in time to take the 2012 Newbie Tour of Lotusphere, hosted by The Turtle. This was a very valuable and informative tour. When I was making my way to breakfast, bleary eyed, Monday morning, I was glad I took the tour.

As many others have mentioned in postings, the Opening General Session was vastly improved over last year. Michael J Fox and Dr. Burns from Children’s Hospital of Boston were excellent. I made the General Session on Wednesday and Tim Berners-Lee was excellent as was Manoj Saxeona, Watson Software GM.

The majority of the sessions I attended were excellent and I only left one session early. I was bummed at missing UK Night and the Great Geek Challenge but other responsibilities prevailed; I’ll definitely make them next year.

WiFi was hit and miss; mostly miss. My iPhone battery held up well with the help of the portable charger.

I missed Seaworld due to a previously planned dinner engagement … an excellent meal at Il Mulino’s though.

I caught Mat Newman flu (that’s my story and I’m sticking with it) that knocked me out on Thursday. I did make it to “Ask the Product Managers” and “GURUpalooza”, picked up my box lunch (which turned out to be lunch and dinner along with some peanut butter crackers I brought with me), and made it through the CGS – anyone for Geoduck? Really disappointed I wasn’t able to make it to the Blogger Open.

I was really pleased to meet many of the people I only knew through Twitter, Blogs, and email.

I did make it to Kimonos a couple nights.

Last time a carry a laptop on any trip.

I’m definitely ready for Lotusphere 2013!