Ahhh…yes, another conference is over, so do you know what that means? If you said “a large population of the ITSM population is hungover,” you’re only partly right. It also means that it’s time to write-up a post conference blog article. Compared to my previous conference related posts, you’ll find this one to be a little different. Why, you ask? It’s because this conference was different. In fact, it was very different. In fact, it was so different, it redefines different. I would say this conference was “difspectacularferent.” Without making you wait any longer, here’s my (most likely incomplete) summary of lessons learned from Knowledge 12.

1. As usual, thank you vendors! Your tireless work, enthusiasm, energy and devotion only went unnoticed during the after-hours events, even though you helped to make those moments possible (and unconscious).

2. This was the first conference I’ve ever been to in which a vendor actually paid for “booth babes.” As usual, I won’t name names, but I will say they were “logical” in their reasoning for the expense.

3. Session Depression: A mental state in which there are so many exciting topics being all presented concurrently, that missing them causes depression. This is also another reason why the human cloning process needs to be legalized (I know it’s already available, despite what the government says). Knowledge 12 was the first conference I’ve ever attended in which I found this to be a realistic condition.

4. Chanukah Came Early! If Fred Luddy only showed a single new feature in the Berlin or Calgary releases, I would have said “Christmas,” but let’s be realistic. So many new features all at once? That’s definitely enough to fill the eight days of Chanukah.

5. I predict the next Hangover movie will be filmed in New Orleans. Those that attended Knowledge 12 would probably agree. Those that didn’t; take my word for it and don’t risk the possible consequences of visiting (unless you hire a body guard or simply give up on coming out unscathed).

6. Social IT is moving into a new frontier. Whitepapers and ideas are great, but when vendors start building their platforms around social, you know it’s really happening.

7. As I mentioned in other conference blog posts, networking is the most important activity, but this time, the content was fantastic. In fact, often the best networking opportunties came just after a topic or lab was presented. After the session, presenters were more than willing to talk about new ideas or hear feedback.

8. This conference would not have been the same without social media support. In fact, during a panel I tweeted out that I forgot to grab lunch. Seven minutes later, someone stopped on by and dropped off a sandwich (thank you Andy Ho – https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/techtrainingtip).

9. My dream of never needing to touch a computer is coming closer to reality. Yes, one could argue my iPhone or iPad is essentially a computer, but they are still in different categories compared to my (very big and ugly) laptop. The S***-**w iPad app looks great. Now, if they only would come out with something specifically for admin/coding work….

10. Get a Mac, and save the embarrassment of trying to figure out how to use it right before a presentation.

11. I finally went to a conference where I showed a QR code with my contact information, and people actually knew what to do. Sure, the business card still lives, but your days are numbered!

12. Put my Twitter handle on my name badge. It was far more recognizable as my identity than my actual name (which is understandable since my last name is of Ukrainian origin and not the easiest to pronounce).

 

There you have it, my lessons learned summary. I can safely say that it’s probably not as extensive as other conference posts, but that’s because there was so much content, excitement and energy, that the best lesson I could say to anyone is “Go to Knowledge 13,” and not just because it’ll be in Vegas.

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Started working in IT in 1999 as a support desk analyst as a way to help pay for food during college. Studied Electrical Engineering for two years before realizing biochemistry was more fun than differential equations, and so ultimately graduated with a Biology degree in 2006. Having (reluctantly) failed at getting accepted into dental school, embraced working in IT and has gone broke becoming an ITIL Expert. Likes to jog, sing camp songs, quote Mel Brooks movie lines and make dumb jokes and loves working for an Israeli tech company where December 25th is a regular work day.