vowe is a conference sponsor
by Volker Weber
Paul Mooney is putting together a conference for the Irish Lotus User Group and was having difficulties finding sponsors. Last week I had the opportunity to help him out. Now I am a conference sponsor.
And IBM isn't.
Update: I am happy to report, that IBM is now a sponsor.
Comments
Thank you so much, Volker... and that *does* say something...
Very very kind of you Volker. It should be a great day and all help is much appreciated
Nice one Volker. Your a good man...
---* Bill
"IBM isn't" -- implies that IBM was approached and declined or something else nefarious. I don't believe this to be the case, and IBM certainly has been involved with the Irish user group (and many others) for a long time.
implies that IBM was approached and declined
Indeed.
again, that implies that the process was something nefarious. IBM is investing in this event and user group, just not as a lunch provider for this meeting. I'd rather see IBM's investment be in speakers and technical content vs. making the meeting into a marketing event. Sometimes the marketing investment makes sense, too (i.e. next week's DNUG).
Well, I stand by what I wrote. And I put my money where my mouth is.
IBM sponsored my last UK User Group meeting with very little prompting so I see this as strange.
Maybe, with Paul working for an IBM Business Partner, there could be a perceived conflict of interest here. If IBM sponsor an event organised by a BP, might that not make other BPs want some investment in their marketing events?
I do also remember IBM flying a certain keynote speaker over from Chicago for the last event and a bar tab for at least the first round. Not exactly a big "no" from where I am sat.
Ben - as you know, my BP hat is off for the UG day. I don't advertise or allow any BP to advertise at the event. I run the Irish UG day because nobody else will, and everyone complains when there isn't one. My status as a BP employee does not bother IBM at all in this arena.
Ed was great to turn up for us last year, and I can't thank him enough. With the calibre of speakers this year, I hope to keep the huge interest spurned from last year alive.
Paul,
Thanks for clearing that one up. I'm having my next meet in McDonalds...they can buy their own lunch ;O)
I will sponsor one (1) Happy Meal for you. :-)
Put me down for a milkshake ;-)
Paul, that would have to be the Shamrock Shake (TM), right?