Blogs

Over the past few weeks I was fortunate enough to speak at SharePoint conferences in Sydney, Australia and Wellington, New Zealand. Both were world class conferences and showed me just how truly global the SharePoint community has become. The Australia conference home page can be found here http://www.sharepointconference.com.au/au2011/solutionpages/default.aspxand the New Zealand can be found here http://www.sharepointconference.co.nz/nz2011/solutionpages/default.aspx. The full agenda of the conferences was even available via a mobile app downloadable on iPhones, Blackberries, Droids, and Windows 7 phones. This is something I think every conference will be doing soon. Rather than having to keep up with a piece of paper people were constantly checking their cell phones in between sessions. This also allowed the conference to provide last minute updates. The company that provided the app was LogicalTech http://www.logicaltech.com.au.

               So, why did I fly all the way down from California to speak at conference half way around the world? It was for the people. The SharePoint community is by far the best group that I have had the opportunity to work with and the people from down under did not disappoint. I was also able to see some of the beautiful scenery and experience some new cultures which only added to the enjoyment of the conferences. It is always a bonus when your career can expand your boundaries culturally as well as mentally. I have compiled some names (definitely not all inclusive) of some excellent people to follow on twitter.

Aussies

@brianfarmhill – Brian Farmhill
@mrrhodes – Mark Rhodes
@jthake – Jeremy Thake
@alpesh – Alpesh Nakar
@logicaltechaus - LogicalTech

Kiwis

@debbieireland – Debbie Ireland
@nickhadlee – Nick Hadlee
@edithzor – Edith Zor
@bexheller – Rebecca Gordon
@yuganyugaraja – Yugan Yugaraja

If I missed anyone, please let me know.

Finally, I leave you with a picture from an amazing hike I took while I was in New Zealand called the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. I crossed some of the same area that was used in filming the Lord of the Rings. Truly one of the great one day hikes and not to be missed if you can make it down under to one or both of these great conferences.