Common vs IBM's tech conf

[Jon.Paris@xxxxxxxxxx]

Speaking as a speaker (the only capacity in which I get to attend anything)
I tend to think of the differences between the IBM conference and COMMON
this way.  I leave it to the reader to decide which is pro and which is con
as this varies according to your taste.

COMMON:

Very large number of sessions on a wide variety of topics - sometimes tough
to chose the good ones and the sessions are too short to have time to find
another if you make a bad selection.

Lower cost (no meals included).

Sessions are 1 hour (as a speaker I find this too restrictive - but they
are trying some longer sessions)

Theater style seating (no desks)

Lots of Labs, but hard to get into the good ones.  Limited to zero access
outside of fixed Lab times.

COMMON is much bigger with a better expo (3,000 - 5,000 people) terrific
networking opportunities but some people find it intimidating.



IBM Tech Conference.

Much smaller scale (900 - 1,200 people)

Meals (breakfast and lunch plus one dinner and one reception) included -
attendees eating together plus smaller size makes for a more intimate
experience.  Lunch in particular provides a good networking opportunity.

Sessions are 1.5 hours - more time for questions and to explore topics the
audience find tough/interesting

Lecture style seating (desks)

Fewer Labs but repeated often enough that you can always get a seat.  Lab
rooms are open out of hours for further practice.



Hope this helps.


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