At 06:03 PM 5/12/96 -0700, Michael L Gueterman <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>This may sound kind of silly, but since this will
>be (unless something else comes up!) the first
>HP oriented conference I've ever attended (even though
>I started messing with HP's back in '78), what are
>some tips for getting the most I can out of it?
[snip]
 
There have been a lot of great suggestions to the question Michael posed.  I
just wish I had been on the Internet back in 1991 when I started the New
Attendee Orientation session at the San Diego conference.  I am not sure
what will be discussed at the session this year.  But I hope who ever is
giving the talk will incorporate what all of you have said.
 
Michael, you might want to attend the Conference Orientation session that
will be held on Monday night from 5:30 - 6:15 pm.
 
The following are some notes from the talks I have given in the past.  Note
they started as just my own notes but I have tried to make them somewhat
meaningful to the reader.  Please contact me if you have other questions or
I can help you in any way.  My signature is at the end of this relatively
long posting.
 
Judy
 
 
I.      The three most important parts of the conference are:  the technical
sessions, the vendor show, and the networking with other attendees.  The
first two are obvious, but networking alone can pay for the cost of
attending the conference - especially if you have questions/problems to
solve.  Chances are someone else has been there and can help answer your
questions (just as they do on the Internet).
 
II.     Know who the players are and what questions to as of whom. Most wear
ribbons on their badges so you can tell who is who.
 
        A.      Host committee - general questions about the conference and
                program.
 
        B.      Board - INTEREX policies, what you would like to see from
                the user's groups.
 
        C.      Staff - all other questions.
 
III.    Meetings - types (what they are and what are the differences) where
they are located.
 
        A.      MPE
        B.      RTE
        C.      HPUX
        D.      PCs
        E.      HP Seminars
        F.      HP Classes
        G.      Tutorials
        H.      Vendor Tutorials
        I.      Vendor Product Presentations
        J.      SIGs - Special Interest Groups
        K.      BOFs - Birds of Feather
        L.      SIC - System Improvement Committee
        M.      Roundtables - management and others
                1.  How to submit questions - using the PCs and from the
                    floor (I don't know if they will be using PCs this year
                    or hand-written only)
                2.  How the whole process works - pre-submitted questions
                    are answered first.  I am not sure how it is done today
                    but when I was active different committees (and not HP)
                    decided what questions would be asked and in what order.
                3.  If the questions are hand-written - please write
                    legibly (a lot of questions used to be thrown out
                    no one could read them).
 
IV.     Miscellaneous things and where they are located - Study the maps in
        in your conference program to find everything. - Either fold down
        the corner or put a paper clip on the pages with the maps for easy
        reference.
 
        A.      Lunches
        B.      Vendor Show
        C.      Information Booth
        D.      Message Center  (there will be a phone number you can give
                your family and office - messages are posted by last name
                as they are received so check often - or don't :-).
        E.      Program Changes - registration packet, Daily, big board
                located in registration area
 
V.      How to read the program guide
 
VI.     Miscellaneous Information
 
        A.      Dress Code - anything from shorts to suits.  Wear whatever
                is comfortable.
 
        B.      Number of Attendees
 
        C.      Number of Vendors
 
        D.      CSL and Swap Tape - Bring a tape with a contribution and
                receive one back with ALL contributions
 
VII.    Special Sessions (check the program guide for date, time and room)
 
        A.      Open Business Meeting - your chance to ask the Interex
                Board of Directors questions.
 
        B.      Candidates Rally - meet the candidates for the Board of
                Directors so you can figure out who to vote for - and then
                vote
 
        C.      Systems Improvement Committee Ballot Results and HP Response
 
        D.      Advocacy Forum
 
VIII.   Filling out forms - be sure to fill out and turn in all evaluations
        - they help determine what will happen at future conference.
 
        A.      Speaker Evaluations
        B.      Conference Evaluations
 
IX.     Evening functions - What, where, transportation, etc
 
        A.      Opening Keynote Address
        B.      Welcome Networking Mixer
        C.      INTEREX/HP Social events
        D.      Special Interest Group Meetings
        E.      Hospitality Suites
 
X.      Spouse program
 
        A.      Listed in conference guide
        B.      How to sign up
 
XI.     How to get information about the area and what to do
 
        A.      Conference center
        B.      Hotel concierge
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Judith S. Fisher                          Voice : (310) 820-7191
FDF Enterprises                           Fax   : (310) 826-1615
11656 Montana Ave, Suite 102              E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Los Angeles, CA 90049
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