Common Connect - February 2012

MEET and network with peers, recognized speakers, executives and exhibitors to supplement your educational sessions. As the largest gathering of the Power Systems user community, the COMMON 2012 Annual Meeting provides you with many opportunities to interact with fellow community members. The true value of COMMON’s Annual Meeting and Exposition is the unique forum it provides for attendees to interact and network.

Power Down – All Attendee Reception in the Exposition Visit the Exposition Monday evening for All Attendee Reception! Enjoy beverages and hors d’oeuvres as you continue checking out the latest technologies.

After a full day of learning, the evening Power Down events provide a great opportunity to relax, have fun, and exchange knowledge and experiences with speakers, vendors and IBM. These are invaluable networking opportunities.

Power Down – Fun and Games / Recognition Night The nightly Power Down events provided many more opportunities for networking. All attendees could enjoy food and drinks while socializing and sharing knowledge and information. This fun evening provides you the opportunity to meet new people as well as see old friends, along with lots of great food and good times. Come have some laughs while COMMON shows its appreciation and thanks to the many people and organizations who help make COMMON’s success possible.

COMMON Welcome Reception Networking is easy at the Welcome Reception, held in the COMMON Exposition. Explore, meet vendors and other COMMON attendees while you enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages. The Welcome Reception takes place Sunday evening.

Power Down – Main Event On Wednesday night, COMMON’s Power Down – Main Event will end the conference on a high note by looking forward to the 2013 Annual Meeting & Exposition in Austin, Texas. Be ready for a night of pure fun and enjoyment, which will include Texas-themed food and beverages and a fantastic band. There are also fantastic prizes to be won. Forgot your cowboy hat? Stop by the COMMON Education Foundation Booth and buy a COMMON cowboy hat with proceeds benefiting the COMMON Education Foundation. This will be a night that you won’t want to miss.

Power Down – Ask the Experts
Night

Join IBM and Industry experts on Monday evening as they “talk shop” at our Ask the Experts Power Down, sponsored by IBM. There will be ample opportunity to explore key technologies and strategies; talking to many developers and architects responsible for designing and building IBM products. There will be more than 15 tables designated for specific technology discussions, staffed by IBM developers and leading industry experts. As you stroll from table to table, you will undoubtedly run into many other industry experts, as they enjoy an evening of mixing and mingling and “powering down”.

First-Timers Session and Social If this is your first COMMON conference, you’ll have a valuable opportunity to meet other first-timers, as well as “COMMON veterans”, who are ready to show you the ropes. The First-Timers’ Session takes place on Sunday morning and is a great opportunity to gain advice that will help you throughout the week. The First-Timers Social takes place on Tuesday afternoon and is a great time to just relax and meet with fellow members.

Young i Professionals (YiPs) If you’re a “young” Power Systems user, or new to the system, you’re invited to participate on a COMMON/IBM advisory team called “Young i Professionals” (YiPs). You’ll review COMMON and Power Systems initiatives relevant to you and network with your peers. YiPs meet on-site at COMMON conferences both formally and informally.