Another SPC is almost upon us, and I can already sense that this year's show is going to be the biggest and best one yet. Word on the street is that attendance may break 10,000, which is just mind-boggling. There's so much going on this year that I'm going to break my "preview" into two parts, with part one being this action-packed breakdown of some of the SPC highlights, and part two features a list of the sessions that I'm hoping to be able to cover.
Let's do this…
Sunday
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Kick off SPC 2012 in style with the Welcome Reception sponsored by our friends at Fpweb.net. Running from 6-9 pm in the Exhibit Hall, all vendor booths will be open and food and drink will be provided. Come see team Bamboo at booth #941 (next to the Microsoft pavilion), and be sure to pick up one of the soon-to-be-coveted commemorative SPC t-shirts we've designed for you this year.
Monday
- Get your breakfast, and then get your Keynote on, as Microsoft executives provide the inside scoop on SharePoint and what's in store for the future. The opening keynote is scheduled from 8:30-10:30 am.
- Immediately following the Keynote, get your "Gangnam Style" on by taking part in the flash mob organized by Marcy Kellar and Erica Toelle. Taking place at 10:45 am in the Exhibit Hall, you can sign up for the Gangnam Style Flash Mob in advance.
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The brainchild of Joel Oleson, kicking off Monday will be the STP Global Community Luncheon series. The first luncheon in the series is a focus on Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Register in advance to attend, or just meet up at Joel and Mark Miller's SharePoint Community Hub (located at booth #1137) at 12 noon.
Tuesday
- Yours truly will participate in the Sharing the Point Executive Luncheon to be presented by Colligo, global sponsor of the recent STP Africa Tour. Colligo CEO Barry Jinks will host the luncheon presentation which will include a panel discussion featuring members of the STP Africa team (John Anderson, Eric Harlan, Mark Miller, Michael Noel, Joel Oleson, and Paul Swider), and will take place from 11:45 am-1:45 pm in Mariners AB. Space is limited, so be sure to register to attend.
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Tuesday night marks the Official SPC Party featuring Jon Bon Jovi & the Kings of Suburbia at Mandalay Bay Beach. Note: This is not a Bon Jovi show, but is Jon Bon Jovi's solo band, whose setlists rely most heavily on cover songs, but also include a smattering of Bon Jovi hits. The question is this: Can Jon Bon Jovi's solo band deliver a set that's more fun than the one played by Huey Lewis & the News on the same stage at SPC 2009? We shall see! The party is scheduled from 7-10 pm.
Wednesday
- The Sharing the Point team will convene again, this time for a 30-minute STP panel discussion hosted by STP team member Eric Harlan. 12:15 pm in the Community Lounge in the Exhibit Hall is the place to find us.
- STP Global Community Luncheon: Attendees from Central and South America will be the focus of Wednesday's luncheon. Register in advance to attend, or just meet up at the SharePoint Community Hub (located at booth #1137) at 12:45 pm, immediately following the STP session in the Community Lounge).
- Julie Auletta, Director of Bamboo's Solutions Center will conduct a session on Build vs. Buy – Accelerating SharePoint Development. The 15-minute session will take place in the Partner Theater in the Exhibit Hall beginning promptly at 4:35 pm.
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Wednesday night will see the official Bamboo SPC Party at the House of Blues. We're officially at capacity at this point, but hey, it's Vegas, so go ahead and roll the dice by registering for the wait list … lady luck may just smile on you! The party is scheduled from 9 pm to midnight.
Thursday
- STP Global Community Luncheon: Attendees from Asia Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand will be the focus of the final STP Luncheon at SPC. Register in advance to attend, or just meet up at the SharePoint Community Hub (located at booth #1137) at 1:30 pm.
And of course, team Bamboo will be providing demos and answering your questions Sunday through Thursday at booth #941. Spotlight demos will include new releases of PM Central, Workflow Conductor, and a special sneak peek at PM Central running on SharePoint 2013.
Now available: A look at the sessions that are calling out to me the loudest for coverage attention.
Did I miss any highlights? Share them in the comments!