The Lotusphere Blog

Kevin Pettitt, independent Domino consultant, blogger, OpenNTF contributor and developer of the SuperNTF application framework takes us through the reasons why he'll be at Lotusphere 2009:

Is this your first Lotusphere? If not, how many have you attended in the past?
In 1999 my employer (at the time) sent myself and several colleagues to Orlando and I remember feeling overwhelmed, in large part because there was so much happening and I of course knew NO ONE outside our little group. I didn't return until 2002, by which point I was paying my own way, and although I missed 2003, I have been to every show since. So, that would make 2009 my...8th Lotusphere. Suffice it to say I know a few more people now than I did in '99.

Why are you attending Lotusphere in 2009?
I never really considered NOT attending, although I put on a good show for my wife.

What has been your best experience of Lotusphere so far?
2006 was a watershed year for me because I had joined the blogosphere with my Lotus Guru blog in August 2005. That was the year I went from being "Kevin Who" to "Kevin Pettitt, oh yeah I've seen you online, love your blog, great to meet you". I kicked it all off by attending the annual BALD Blogger hangout event Saturday on the Boardwalk, where for the first time I met Paul Mooney, Rob McDonough, Warren and Kitty Elsmore, Julian Robichaux... and those are just the folks I happen to remember sitting at my table. Although you might think I would put down "being a Lotusphere speaker" ('07 and '08) as the answer to this question (and those have been great experiences), even they do not compare with the experience of being welcomed as a peer into the "Lotus Blogger" club. That and the awesome backpack make 2006 my favorite show to date.

What has your organisation gained most from your attendance at Lotusphere?
As an independent consultant, the closest thing to "my organization" would have to be my clients, although not necessarily the ones I might happen to be working for any given year. The fact is, current and future clients have and will continue to benefit immensely from the knowledge and connections I have gained from attending Lotusphere (despite not paying directly for it). There is nothing quite so cool, or valuable, as being able to directly tap the expertise of some of the most experienced Lotus professionals on the planet who just happen to be personal friends.

How about you personally?
Connections both professional and personal, Notoriety, Knowledge. In that order.

What are you particularly looking forward to seeing or hearing at Lotusphere2009?
XPages are shaping up to the be the big story for a lot of folks, and I am no exception. As someone who never felt compelled to learn all the kludgitsu skills needed to hack your way to Domino web development mastery and stuck with Lotus through the Dark Years, I feel the anticipation of one whose patience and perseverance is about to be rewarded.

What would be your top tip to someone coming to Lotusphere for the first time this year?
EVERYONE appreciates someone willing to listen to whatever they have to say, which thankfully for you means they will eagerly share advice and tips with "the new guy" because they get to show off how much they know. So my top tip for newbies is DO NOT be intimidated. Ask the dumb questions. There are many things that seem overwhelming to those just trying to find their way around. Everyone else seems to know everyone else, which compounds outsider anxiety. Speakers and bloggers you've followed for years MUST be way too busy to care about l'il old you. The fact is, speakers and bloggers LOVE when you come up to them even if just to let them know you appreciate the work they do (especially because it doesn't happen as often as one might think). If you don't know a lot of people, take every opportunity to change that. If you find yourself in the Dolphin lobby during a break checking email, strike up a conversation with whoever is sitting nearby. Same thing when you're eating lunch and find yourself at a table full of strangers. No need for fancy pickup lines here - something as simple as "How's the show going for you so far?" works really well. And don't forget to talk to the vendors at the Product Showcase, where you don't need any pickup lines at all. Everyone has a name tag, so keep an eye out for familiar names when you're in line for food, hanging at the lobby bar, or anytime you're both standing still long enough to read the name. If you've come with a colleague, whatever you do avoid the temptation to hang out together all the time. It might make you feel less socially awkward, but it also makes you far less open to talking to others.

Thanks Kevin, hopefully you'll get loads of Lotus geeks trying to pick you up at BALD this year ;-)