The Back Story

There have been a few questions since the vendor hall info has been making its way to attendees of The upcoming SharePoint Conference in Las Vegas. I had this idea of getting a booth where I could have more of a presence at the event and was looking at costs, and decided it would even be better if I could share the costs. I called Mark Miller and asked him if he was interested in splitting the booth with me. Of course with joining forces with SharePoint Joel, Nothing but SharePoint, Nothing but Branding an idea was born. Why not use this as a community booth where people could come and hang out, where we could give out the Community T-shirts that Jeremy Thake organizes every year. The ideas and juices started flowing… We could have Bonnie run the booth and invite others from the community. We could have twitter feeds and Yammer Feeds up on flat big screens… and then we could have a place where people could sign up for http://yammer.com/spyam and approve them right there to get them in on the conversations at #SPC12. From there we started thinking about Sharing The Point and how we could help educate people about the great work that's happening globally and work with the global community on community building and outreach on new places to build community and start the fire.

What we really need is a community booth where people can hang out and meet others in the community…

As Bonnie @sharepointmom suggested… "If you came alone to SPC you don't need to wander far to find where you can join the crew and hang out with others who know what's going on and have tons of stuff to do, you know where to go… The SharePoint Community Hub at booth #1137." The party is just getting started. That's really the spirit of the booth. It's all things community, but also a little bit Joel and a little bit Mark.

The Swag Hunt

Ultimately when people walk through the booths, they are looking for good swag. I've been with the best of the swag hunters myself. If you're good at swag hunting you shouldn't be wearing any of your same clothes, maybe your pants, and you should barely be able to see your face. One of the best swag hunters in my opinion is Joey. Last year he had nearly $400 worth of books. The vendors love supporting the authors who love signing their books. It's a popular past time. Me, I'm looking for something for my kids so I don't have to swing by M&M world, well I may do that anyway. Those cherry and mint m&ms are great!

I think pens are definitely over done. I can't get enough USB keys, so those are still in fashion, but don't get skimpy… we want GBs these days not the 128MB. As someone who was looking to provide swag, I was amazed how much the conference aligns directly with the promotional marketing world. All of the hot swag in the promotional world will make it's way onto the exhibit floor… mugs, sunglasses, water bottles, and motorcycles. No that's just AvePoint. They have to out due themselves each year. Quest and the money giveaway has always been popular. Who doesn't want money? …it does fit the Vegas theme. I'll definitely be at the Red party and the Green Party. I don't play politics, especially when it comes to parties. I just know where ever there is a SharePoint party… I'm going to have a good time.

Like My SWAG?

So you may have seen Mark Miller's post on SPC12 Swag: An Alternative

"What if, instead of me giving out handmade paracord Survival Bracelets, I provide you with a little kit and show you how to do it? Would that be enough incentive to get you to stop by the SharePoint Community Hub for a couple minutes and chat with me and Joel Oleson while we all make bracelets... everyone except Bil Simser, that is, since he's too cool to stop by ANY booth."

I like the crafty idea. I can see some people getting into it, and others furling a brow. I'll let you tell me what you're favorite is..

• I'm thinking I want to provide SharePointJoel Tatoos or SPYam Tatoos. I just need some cool designs. (Did you hear Paul Hunt is getting married and getting a SharePoint Tatoo? (yes he's renewing his 20 year vows))
• Magnet picture frame that you can decorate yourself that has my blog URL on the bottom… you know so you don't forget and that rare person that may not know it. The decore theme would definitely fit the crafty part of the booth.
• I'm definitely thinking about the party night, and Bonnie suggested glow wrist bands. I think that's a very cool idea. Anyone who either is signed up or signs up on the spot for SPYam can get a glowy wrist band for the outdoor party.

Jump on Yammer, I'll post this as a poll question and write in ideas for under a buck.

Let me tell you what else…

I am so excited to connect with people from all over the world.

Announcing… #SPC12 Global Sharing the Point luncheons!

Wouldn't it be great if you could meet all those who travelled from Africa for SPC? Or meet the SharePoint Auzzies and Kiwis? Well I'm sure you will if you stay out late enough and watch the sunrise. I'm specifically reaching out to those who have come in from those regions and want to meet others and for those that simply want to meet more SharePointers from around the globe.

Right now we are still nailing down details, but we've come up with a rough schedule… dates. We're planning on meeting first at the Community Hub then walk together to the lunch hall. We'll bring some table tents to mark our territory in the lunch hall.

Date - Region

11/12 – Africa & Middle East

11/13 – Europe (East & West) from the Brits to the Swedes, from the Belarusians and the other Russians and south to the Baltics and of course the Italians.

11/14 – South America & SPLATAM

11/15 – Asia & South Pacific – Australia & New Zealand

Sign up on the eventbrite page for any or all of the global luncheons and we'll email you the details when we nail them down. We'll also be using the hand #STPLunch on twitter if you want to follow the daily details. We'll be announcing special influencers from each region. I'm already looking forward to it!