What to Expect at Geek Day

Whether you are a Geek Day alum or a first-time attendee, there is a lot to look forward to in 2012.

The Format

Geek Day 2012 will feature three sessions for attendees...

THE LAB

The Layout: Each Lab features a fully functional demonstration showcasing a range of solutions including power, network, storage, compute and end-points. Attendees can hold in-depth discussions around these solutions with technical specialists (look for the white lab coats) without the pressure of a sales call.

Sponsors will have multiple Labs setup to showcase a range of solutions and conduct test scenarios within a controlled environment; some Labs are standalone solutions and others are Sponsors partnered together to demonstrate holistic solutions.

Level Playing Field: Each Geek Day Sponsor is provided the same setup and baseline at the start of Geek Day whether they are a multi-national corporation or a new-to-the scene startup company. Attendees are given the opportunity to evaluate vendor solutions based on functionality and fit for their organization.

The Game Plan: Plan to spend at least 3 hours in the Geek Lab. Conversations regularly last at least 30 minutes will yield substantial value - whether you are troubleshooting an issue at the office or designing the next step in your IT Plan.

THE BREAKOUTS

The Layout: Breakouts are 50 minute discussion sessions. Topics are selected by the Geek Day Committee from abstracts submitted by our Sponsors. The Breakouts will be detailed discussion of the Sponsor's Lab presence - outlining best practices, answering more comprehensive questions and highlighting new releases that can't be addressed in the short time in the Geek Lab.

Level Playing Field: Every Sponsor has the opportunity to submit a Breakout Abstract for consideration by the Geek Day Committee and will be given equal consideration based on merit and relevance. For example, three men and a coffee pot write a genius code that is taking the world by storm and they want to talk about how their budding business will impact your business? Great, they are perfect; but a dominant industry player wants to put a VP of Sales on stage to talk about their software release eight months ago? Probably not the type of discussion we are looking for.

The Game Plan: Breakout abstracts are available on this website in advance - scour them, read them, and then make sure all related internal teams at your company register for Geek Day! We've added an additional day to the agenda so that attendees will have more time, but with the fast pace of change in IT we are also adding more content. You will need a divide-and-conquer approach if you want to see everything!

THE BIRDS OF A FEATHER SESSIONS (BOAF)

The Layout: BoaF Sessions will be held during lunch on both days. Wednesday, April 11 will feature sessions divided by types of technology and Thursday, April 12 will feature sessions divided by industry focus. Grab your lunch and join the conversation that most interests you.

Level Playing Field: World Wide Technology, the Geek Day host, will determine the best agenda for each session at that time. Some BoaF Sessions may feature a panel of experts taking questions; customers who've overcome common challenges, while others may feature more of an open "roundtable" style of discussion. Sponsors are welcome to participate in the BoaF Sessions; however will not be presenting or driving the conversation. These sessions are for attendees.