pmooney.net

1 - I think this piece sums it up....
"There are a wealth of reasons why attending Lotusphere is a damn good idea. This year so far is shaping up to be the best yet. If you go to Lotusphere with some enthusiasm, realism and some experience, armed with business cards and the notion to speak to people, I would be stunned if you do not come home feeling like it is worth the money. "

While not being exactly that kind of person, it still makes sense.
Havent been there since 2004, but might go in 2008.

2 - Well Mika, thats the wrong approach.

Consider the products, sessions, bofs, networking that can take place regardless of the release of the product. Additionally, there are always major announcements, not just necessarily about Lotus Notes. For anyone that involves themselves deeply in this as their "core product", this event is a "must go if at all possible".

3 - Here, here...

This will be my 11th (I think), and it has completely defined my career and personal growth during that time. The people I've met, worked, and played with there are counted among my closest friends. And having those people on my IM/Skype/contact list when people at work question me is an incredible side benefit.

In fact, my boss recently signed up for Facebook and invited me as a friend. When I accepted and he looked at my friend list, he was amazed at how many of the people in that list are ones who he knows or have heard of in the Notes community. And he already *knows* I have a list like that. :)

4 - Actually I am telling my boss that it's not justified for business reasons to go every year to LotuSphere, but the result is the same. The most beneficial use of LotuSphere is to go when a new Domino version is just about to come out. LotuSphere 2008 seems a bit too early for Domino 9 yet, but LotuSphere 2009 sounds like a good choice!

5 - There is only one reason you need to go to Lotusphere:

SAKE!!!!

6 - @4, If that's their attitude to vital business conferences, then I'd hate to see how they might consider other essential expenditure...

Personally, I echo everything that Paul, Bill and others have said - it really is an essential part of any Lotus practioner's year - for the technical knowledge, the experience, the networking, the peripheral stuff (just seeing what other ISV products are on the market, and to regain that excitement/drive to push onwards and upwards with Lotus technology in the coming year.

I think it's so important that I have asked the question in my last two job interviews

7 - In terms of "Junket": You get up at 7am, walk 5-10 miles per day, listen to sessions from 8am to 6pm, network, hit the business partner showcase from 4pm to 8pm, and then network like mad in the various engineered and non-engineered social events. Till about 2am. From saturday to thursday. 80-100 hours of "work". (If you do it right..)

The only really non-business time might be 30 or so minutes whilst on the rides at the park on wednesday night - its difficult to talk and scream. (please god, not seaworld or animal kingdom again!)

Junket ? its more of a forced march. Just because its at the happiest place on earth doesnt mean you come back exhaused, footsore and usually raring to go on at least 10 new technolgies or products.

last year - I didnt even leave the hotel complex.

Its not easy. Is it worth it ? Absolutely.

I often hear one-man contractor shops saying "I cant afford it". Wrong attitude. In only one week, you elevate your skill and experience from "good" to "excellent", and of course introduce a whole raft of new ideas back at customer site. Guess who gets the renewal ?

Europeans - travel out on the Friday, so at least you get time on Saturday to recover from Jetlag, and travel back home on the friday, as Thursday is quite productive - espeically late PM and you can ambush the Lotii in peace.

---* Bill

8 - So I have Boss approval to go.
Then the wife tells me that we are going to have a baby on/about January 15th.
I must say this is lousy familyplanning.

9 - Some common sense tips on "Connecting" that you can use at these junk.. er I mean conferences:
{ Link }


Brian

10 - I don't think that many folks will disagree with your reasoning Paul. Given that Lotusphere is the biggest learning & social networking event of the year within the Lotus community, (next to ILUG -- of course!), it would be crazy to miss out on it.

However, some will miss out on it due to a number of valid reasons, but most likely reason being the justificaion of the costs.

Now, before you all jump in and flame me, please hear me out ...

Within many UK Corporates, there is a strange mentality that technology conferences, particularly those held outside of the UK, are (to use Paul's words) just a junket.

Now, as Paul pointed out Warren (Elsmore, of BE systems - v.nice bloke!!) does have some compelling arguments to put to your line management, in order for you to convince them that Lotusphere attendance would benefit both you and them (your company). Most reasonable line managers will look at these arguments and agree that attending Lotusphere would indeed be a mutually beneficial thing.

However, unless your line manager has budget set aside for such things, then that's normally when the "fun" begins.

You see, what we would class as a training event, your average "bean counter" wont, as it's outside the UK. He'll class this as something completely non-training related, and refuse your boss the funding for you to attend. Now unless you boss can justify in triplicate, with his own blood or yours for that matter, that the funding you need can be associated to a project code, from a budget that he manages, only then can the expenditure for your Lotusphere trip be released.

I admit that this might not be the same for everyone, but this has always been my experience. I have been in this situation so many times, it's too painful to mention. I even had to fight this way for travel and accommodation to attend ILUG2006 - a free event!

Of course there's always the option of funding it yourself. By my calculations this will cost you somewhere in the region of about £2000 at current exchange rates:-

- £900 ($1895) for the conference fee, which rises to $2095 next month
- £600 ($1200) for accommodation - that's staying on-site
- £500 for return flights to Orlando from the UK

I'm really sorry for ranting and appearing to be all negative. Whilst I agree wholeheartedly with the excellent reasoning for getting your ass to Lotusphere 2008, I feel I should point out that a lot of UK based folks will continue to miss out on this great event, due to narrow minded thinking by many in charge of the company purse strings.

Rant over, thanks for listening, and to those of you that are lucky enough to be going to Lotusphere - enjoy it! Sadly, I wont see any of you there, but that's another story ..

11 - PDF published here - { Link }

As I said, it's not easy BUT it is worthwhile. But be prepared to work hard and pass the benefits back to your business.

Hmm... maybe a UKLUG or SNUG session on 'how to go to Lotusphere' might be a good idea?

12 - @8 Been there, done that 2 years ago when my youngest was born. My wife couldn't even believe that I would even think about asking if I could go.