Hi Tom, thanks for sharing your observations with me.

Indeed, this year was a unique event wherein we "partnered with HP and the
Encompass user group for the first time.  As part of this alliance we agreed
to sponsor training for the HP Solutions Architects (HP employees) and the
HP Certified Professionals (HP customers/users).  The approximate count of
the HP SAs was around 800 and they were probably the "different" contingent
you saw out on the expo floor.

As first blush one would question their fit into the HP user community. I
know we did until we learned of their involvement in working directly with
the vendors in crafting IT solutions for HP customers. It was this
involvement that convinced us that that there was value in having them at
this event to interface with both the vendors and users.  They are after all
part of the sales equation and work hand in hand with HP partners, ISVs and
resellers.  Perhaps they are they ones you met who were more predisposed to
looking for giveaways.

In any case the participants of HP World are a homogeneous group that that
interleaves their needs, partnering and content interests.  We no longer
live in a black and white platform centric world, rather we function in
multiplatform environment wherein member needs transcend competing companies
... some of which do business with each other within certain product lines.
The lines blur in terms of relationships, vendors doing deals between each
other, the users, resellers, ISVs and with HP. That is why you will see that
even the 500+ speakers were representative of the influential base of those
seeking and or providing solutions in this arena. All participants, from a
vendor viewpoint,  can be qualified prospects if one considers the
relationship and market expansion possibilities.

Above all we try the best we can to make the HP World Conference one that is
focused on solutions, support and education for users .... your customers.
Each year we poll the attendees to learn of their satisfaction or
dissatisfaction with the event, and we use this data to help our staff and
volunteers create an even better and evolving event the following year. We
will never be perfect, but we do try to listen to the vendors and users
alike.

Ron Evans
Interex

-----Original Message-----
From: OpenMPE Support Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
Tom Tont
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 7:29 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: HP World 2003 Conference Survey


Hello Ron and everyone else out there.

I have been to 16 Interex (HPWORLD) shows now and have seen the ups and
downs through the years.  This year was another good show for us (not great,
not poor - just good).  If the shows were not good there would not be much
of a reason to exhibit.  The biggest change I saw this year was how many HP
people were in attendance.  I would like to know the actual count of HP
people that are in the 8400 number.  In years past HP limited the employee
attendance but that was not the case this year.  It was very obvious to all
the vendors I spoke with because they all wanted to stock up on the free
giveaways.  I actually had a few of them get angry when we explained that
our giveaways were intended for the users (it is a user show right?).  I was
told that there were over 2000 HP people there and from what I saw on the
show floor I can believe it.  I am from the vendor side so when I see
attendance counts I have to wonder about the actual count after you take out
all the vendors and HP representation.  I am not saying that HP
representation is bad - in fact I think it is a good sign and image for the
users to see.  I simply think that attendance numbers should show end users
only - it is the only number that actually has meaning to it.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Evans" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 9:45 AM
Subject: Re: HP World 2003 Conference Survey


> Joseph:
>
> Sorry you were not able to make it to HP World this year.
>
> What we find sad is that it appears that there are some folks out there
> totally misrepresenting the participation numbers at HP World 2003. Seems
> like they feel that it is to their advantage to try and disrupt Interex's
> independent production of this event for its membership.  I guess you
would
> need to put them in the same category as hackers, they just have a
> destructive bent and a personal agenda.
>
> We are proud to say that in fact the conference was an overwhelming
success,
> bigger than last year's event. As of Thursday we had more than 8,400
> registered participants for the event, not 5,000. Further we had over 600
> sessions, more than 160 vendors exhibiting and sponsorships for the event
> were higher than ever.  As we have for 29 years, Interex will continue to
> run this event for its membership next August in Chicago.
>
> So the membership of Interex is growing, our publications are growing, our
> advocacy efforts are growing and the event is growing all on behalf of the
> membership. We do hope you and others schedule in next year's event at HP
> World 2004 and/or our Solutions Symposiums, join in celebrating our 30th
> anniversary.
>
> Ron Evans
> Interex
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: OpenMPE Support Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
> Joseph Dolliver
> Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 5:21 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: HP World 2003 Conference Survey
>
>
> What is sad is the fact that I have seen mention that there were only 5000
> people to attended HPWorld this year. Is this truly a fact? If so, where
are
> all the Compaq and DECies as well as the hp-UX users? Has it crossed
> anyone's mind that maybe the budgets and the timing are just very poor.
This
> was only one of 4 years since the late 80's that I have missed HPWorld.
>
> Just wondering
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: OpenMPE Support Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
> VANCE,JEFF (HP-Cupertino,ex1)
> Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2003 7:30 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: HP World 2003 Conference Survey
>
>
> Ron wrote:
> > Here is something to consider.  I was not at HP World, but I
> > have heard stories from people who were.  The stories center
> > around the feeling that Interex has moved away from the MPE
> > users.
>
> I was there and did hear similar concerns. I personally don't believe
> it at all. I believe that Interex has a very tough balancing job:
> balancing MPE (their original members and the group that really
> launched Interex) vs. all of the other tracts, balancing their own
> members' needs/wants vs. HP's desires and stipulations, balancing
> their own view of what the conference should be vs. Encompass'
> (Compaq/DEC users group) view, etc.  From what I heard it was a LOT
> of additional work to combine the two large users groups at this
> event.  I believe that HP wants the user groups combined, which
> makes sense to me. At the same time, there are lots politics,
> membership, monetary issues, etc. to be resolved -- and I think
> I am probably just scratching the surface.  So, all in all, given
> the circumstances and constraints, it was a pretty good show.
>
> Personally, my biggest concern is that the conference is becoming
> a trade show. From what I've been told this is how COMPAQ ran things.
> COMPAQ had control of the content (like Sun does today), and the
> vendors, and about everything else.  In the past, even though HP
> is always a major sponsor, HP has not exercised this level of control.
> I believe HP, Interex and all of the members are best served by a
> technical and business oriented CONFERENCE -- not trade show. It
> is beneficial to see HP competitors there providing sessions and in
> the Expo hall. We(HP) should not be afraid to compare our products
> face-to-face with IBM, EMC, CISCO, etc. This is good for our
> customers, shows we are confident, lets our customers make "A" vs.
> "B" comparisons on the spot -- isn't that what you want to do?, and
> demonstrates the slogan that HP wants to be your business partner.
>
> If you do not want HP World to morph into a full-fledged HP trade
> show then you need to let HP, Interex, and Encompass know. Voice
> your opinion on:
>   http://www.hpworld2003.com/survey/displaySurvey.do
>
> This survey is for people who attended, but maybe there is a way
> to communicate why you did NOT attend in this form too.
>
> Well, I guess I've written enough for now...
>
>  Jeff Vance, vCSY