Packing lists: check. Supplies ordered: check. Show bags on schedule: check. Speakers all confirmed: check. Missing laptop power cord located: check. Airline tickets verified: check. Candy purchased for reservation desk: check.
Our team is getting excited for the debut of Big Data TechCon, coming up very shortly: April 8-10 in Boston.
What drove us to launch this technical conference? Frustration, really, that there were mainly two types of face-to-face conferences surrounding Big Data.
The first were executive-level meetings that could be summarized as “Here’s WHY you should be jumping onto the Big Data bandwagon.” Thought leadership, perhaps, but little that someone could walk away with.
The second were training sessions or user meetings focused on specific technologies or products. Those are great if you are already using those products and need to train your staff on specific tools.
What was missing? A practical, technical conference focused on HOW TO do Big Data. How to choose between a wide variety of tools and technologies, without bias toward a particular platform. How to kick off a Big Data project, or scale existing projects. How to avoid pitfalls. How to define and measure success. How to leverage emerging best practices.
All that with dozens of tutorials and technical classes, plus inspiring keynotes and lots and lots of networking opportunities with expert speakers and fellow attendees. After all, folks learn in both the formal classroom and the informal hallway and lunch table.
The result: Big Data TechCon, April 8-10, in Boston. If you are thinking about attending, now’s the time to sign up. Learn more at www.bigdatatechcon.com.
See you in Boston!
Alan Zeichick is editorial director of SD Times. Read his blog at ztrek.blogspot.com.
