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...

Thomas "Duffbert" Duff, 2006-05-07

Very very kind of you Volker. It should be a great day and all help is much appreciated

Paul Mooney, 2006-05-07

Nice one Volker. Your a good man...

---* Bill

Bill Buchan, 2006-05-08

"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.

Ed Brill, 2006-05-08

implies that IBM was approached and declined

Indeed.

Volker Weber, 2006-05-08

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).

Ed Brill, 2006-05-08

Well, I stand by what I wrote. And I put my money where my mouth is.

Volker Weber, 2006-05-08

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 Rose, 2006-05-08

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 Mooney, 2006-05-08

Paul,

Thanks for clearing that one up. I'm having my next meet in McDonalds...they can buy their own lunch ;O)

Ben Rose, 2006-05-08

I will sponsor one (1) Happy Meal for you. :-)

Volker Weber, 2006-05-08

Put me down for a milkshake ;-)

Paul Mooney, 2006-05-08

Paul, that would have to be the Shamrock Shake (TM), right?

Ed Brill, 2006-05-08

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