I am going to Lotusphere in January for this first time. I was looking for any advice, hints, tips, etc. that seasoned veterans can offer. My main concern is how the sessions work. I’ve looked at the agenda and I’m a little overwhelmed.
Thank you for any insight.
Anita
Subject: Lotusphere advice
Lotusphere 2006 was my first, and I definitely learned what to do differently. If you can learn from my pain, I’ll gladly share my experience.
First, do what others have suggested: plan your session list well ahead. Always gives yourself alternates. Ben’s sessions database is great for that because it shows you everything in the same time slot.
Second, plan smart. Last year I didn’t realize that the Swan and Dolphin are so far apart, or that getting from DL S Hem 1 to SW 1 is about half a mile. Here are the floorplans: http://www.swandolphinmeetings.com/space/floorplans.html
Third, dress for comfort. Good WALKING shoes are a must!! You will be walking at least a couple of miles a day. Keep in mind that Orlando’s average high in January is 72 (but they did have a record low of 26 during Lotusphere 2003). Just keep an eye on the weather and plan accordingly. Last year I nearly froze to death in some of the sessions so I’m bringing a light jacket I can stuff into my backpack.
Fourth, PARTICIPATE! The presenters are people too so don’t be afraid to talk to them. Talk to your fellow conference attendees. Don’t eat lunch alone or just with your coworkers. Go to the BoF’s and spend time in the labs. There is a whole lot more to Lotusphere than just running from session to session.
Have fun, and I’ll see you there. 
Subject: Charles has great advice
the lunch one is the most important … I always make sure I sit at a lunch table with folks I do not know.
The other thing I do is to not go to a session every slot of every day … give yourself some time to hit the showcase floor, labs, or just detox from all of the info. Sessions are 60 minutes and are full of content. I joke every year about how I feel like I am the driver of a dumptruck and its my job to put all the info in my payload bed into your head in 60 minutes in a way you understand and can consume without overloading
Subject: RE: Lotusphere advice
I wanted to emphasize one thing Charles said, “Don’t eat lunch alone or just with your coworkers.” I cannot emphasize this enough. I have met many amazing and interesting people at meals. Find a table with nobody you know, and don’t be afraid to introduce yourself. My favorite question to start with, even though it sounds lame, is “What are you hoping to get out of Lotusphere this year?” It always gets people talking.
Subject: RE: Lotusphere advice
Thank you all so much for the tips. And Ben … thanks for the “plug” on your weblog. I’m famous!!! Seriously though these are the types of things I was looking for. The main reason I am going is because there is absolutely no training available in my area so my manager thought this would be the best place to get more information. I am coming alone and I was a little worried about being overwhelmed. I am staying at Port Orleans because it is within my expense budget. I guess I will be able to get my conference-related questions (shuttle service, dining, guest pass purchase) answered when I arrive on Sunday. BTW what is the dress code? Are jeans acceptable?
Thanks again and I hope to meet some of you in January. Have a great holiday!
Anita
Subject: RE: Lotusphere advice
Business casual. Jeans are probably not a great idea, but there are always those who dress up more and those who dress up less. You can’t go wrong with khakis and a polo shirt, or somethign of that nature, although there are a lot of t-shirts floating around as well. Also, I am a speaker and meeting lots of customers, so perhaps I dress up a bit more these days than I used to. (I’m afraid you’ll run into me and I’ll be wearing something fancier and you’ll get all grumpy)
Subject: RE: Lotusphere advice
Thanks for the fashion tip. I was really worried about fitting in and not looking like a Geek. I read the FAQ from the unofficial Gonzo site http://www.weightlessdog.com/ls2007.nsf and am trying to follow the Lotusphere rules.
I won’t get “grumpy” if I see you in a tuxedo!
Subject: *If you saw me in a tuxedo, it would be for the first time in my life
Subject: be prepared is the best advice
when it comes to clothes. As a presenter and a company with a booth, I will spend most of my days in dress pants and company shirts. Evenings depend on what you do … all the official events (opening party on sunday, band jam monday, and the wednesday night parties) are casual … and you will want a jacket or sweatshirt because most are outside. I usually end up in jeans and a geek tshirt on Thursday, and have a nice jacket, dress shirt, and pants for client dinners.
In all forms of dress, make sure you have comfortable shoes. With the Yacht & Beach Club back for sessions, people will be walking alot. Be prepared to walk and walk and walk.
Subject: RE: Lotusphere advice
The dress is officially business casual but many people wear jeans. I would steer clear of shorts (many of the rooms are cold) and open toed shoes (crowds + exposed toes = bad).
I stayed at Port Orleans Riverside last year and collected a lot of information. You can find a map of the property toward the bottom of this page: kingdom-travel.com. You can pick up Disney shuttles all around Port Orleans. I think they run from about 7AM - 11PM and there is a bus stop off to the right of the main entrance (it’s not on the map). They have a water shuttle but I never saw it and I don’t know where it goes other than generically “Downtown Disney”.
To the best of my recollection dinner is provided Monday and Wednesday nights, you’re on your own for the rest of it. I think Tuesday night is the product showcase and hors d’oeuvre are provided.
You can get a Guest Pass for Lotusphere from Lotus Guest Services, which is beside the check in area for Lotusphere attendees. I believe that’s in the Dolphin, but I honestly don’t recall that specifically.
Subject: RE: Lotusphere advice
Thanks again, Charles. These are some of the tips I know that come with Lotusphere experience. I figure once I get through Monday I’ll be OK. Its like the first day of school, anticipating the unknown. Again thank you very much for your input and I hope to run in to you in Orlando.
Anita
Subject: Lotusphere advice
When you say you looked at the agenda, did you download the sessions db? That is a bit easier to follow, although it also tends to impress upon you just how many choices there are to make. I usually start by deciding what I most want to learn about this year. Ask yourself questions such as:
Do I care more about a future version of Notes/Domino, and knowing what is coming, or about ways to work better with the version I have? If you care more about the future version, the App Dev and Innovations tracks are better for you. If you care more about the current version, the Best Practices track is a better place to concentrate.
Am I more interested in System Administration or Development? Most sessions fairly clearly fall in one area or the other
3a) (If you are a developer) Do I work more with the web or the Notes client? If you work with the web, don’t miss Rob Novak’s sessions or anything by SNAPPS employees, or you could even check out my Integrating WYSIWYG Editors sessions. If you work with the Notes client, look at Rocky Oliver’s sessions, or read the abstracts carefully to be sure the sessions apply.
3b) (If you are an administrator) Do I need to work more with configuration or maintenance or troubleshooting? I am biased, but anything with Gabriella Davis or Andrew Pollack is worth going to, and I think they even have a session together this year. Don’t miss it.
Seriously, there are lots and lots and lots of good sessions, but also don’t miss the labs, as they can be even better for getting questions answered and seeing demos that speak directly to you, or let you speak directly with the people who design and build Lotus Notes/Domino/Quickplace/SameTime/etc. Enjoy! You will be tired at the end of the week, but it will have been worth it.
Subject: RE: Lotusphere advice
Thank you for your insight Ben. I’ve been reading your blog along with Alan Lepofsky’s looking for information. Thanks to both of you for the helpful info. I did download the db but I’ve had trouble getting the BlackBerry version to download. As I said earlier, I am a little overwhelmed at the amount of information being offered. I don’t want to look like a rookie so that is why I’ve asked for advice.
Thanks again and we’ll see you all in Orlando.
Anita
Subject: RE: Lotusphere advice
Looking forward to seeing everybody myself. I started a thread over on my blog asking people what tips for Lotusphere newcomers they might have, so I’ll let you know what people suggest.
Subject: Lotusphere advice
Check out http://www.weightlessdog.com for good info on the conference, especially the details about the social things to attend and other helpful tips. As far as sessions, everyone has a different strategy / plan of attack.
Watch the locations - you can end up doing a lot walking if you constantly switch between the Swan and Dolphin!
Subject: And if you’re certified…
…don’t forget to check out the CLP Lounge for the Lotus certified professionals. They’ve had seated massages for the past several years as well as some nice freebies to take back for the youngsters in the office. This is also a nice place to just kick back and relax for a few minutes if you’re not staying at the Swan/Dolphin. I stayed at off-site hotels my first couple of Lotuspheres and I don’t think I ever made a roundtrip from the conference center to my hotel in under an hour using the shuttle service.
Also, take advantage of the Certification Testing/Prep Labs if you’re thinking about sitting for an exam soon. The exams are half-price at Lotusphere and the Certification Prep Lab offers FREE access to practice tests/CBTs from the major vendors.
Cheers,
Randy
Subject: Lotusphere advice
Anita,
Try to make a double schedule. That is, always have a backup session for each time slot, just in case your first choice is filled, or at the last minute you realize it’s uninteresting for you.
Breakouts (7AM, 6PM) are a great way to hear what other folks are doing and get some less formal time with developers.
Take advantage of the “meet the developers” room. The developers hang out there and are eager to hear what folks are doing with the product.
have a blast,
raphael