ISV Ecosystem

Are you as tired of virtual conferences as I am? Do you hope, like I do, that in-person conferences will resume soon?

If nothing else, the Western world's response to the pandemic has taught me the value of in-person learning and of networking with industry peers.

What say you?

------------------------------
Ed Jaffe, CTO
Phoenix Software International
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 5/4/2021 11:26:00 PM
From: Edward Jaffe
Subject: Tired of Virtual Conferences?

Are you as tired of virtual conferences as I am? Do you hope, like I do, that in-person conferences will resume soon?

If nothing else, the Western world's response to the pandemic has taught me the value of in-person learning and of networking with industry peers.

What say you?

------------------------------
Ed Jaffe, CTO
Phoenix Software International
------------------------------

I don't know Ed.  Do you think in-person conferences will ever be "normal" again?  It seems to me we've learned that, like going in to the office, they might be something that technology has made way less necessary than we used to think. 

Between a lean travel budget and a general dislike for travel, I'm pretty content learning from the comfort of my office.  Granted, we don't have the "I met them at ____", which does have value.  But imo the pros outweigh the cons. 

------------------------------
Wendell Lovewell
Information Technology Manager
MacKinney Systems, Inc
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Tue May 04, 2021 11:25 PM
From: Edward Jaffe
Subject: Tired of Virtual Conferences?

Are you as tired of virtual conferences as I am? Do you hope, like I do, that in-person conferences will resume soon?

If nothing else, the Western world's response to the pandemic has taught me the value of in-person learning and of networking with industry peers.

What say you?

------------------------------
Ed Jaffe, CTO
Phoenix Software International
------------------------------

The CICS team in Hursley did a great job with the conference.

Still cannot beat the One on One time, albeit with email and IM - assistance is often just a click away!​

------------------------------
Steve Able
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Thu May 06, 2021 09:54 AM
From: Wendell Lovewell
Subject: Tired of Virtual Conferences?

I don't know Ed.  Do you think in-person conferences will ever be "normal" again?  It seems to me we've learned that, like going in to the office, they might be something that technology has made way less necessary than we used to think. 

Between a lean travel budget and a general dislike for travel, I'm pretty content learning from the comfort of my office.  Granted, we don't have the "I met them at ____", which does have value.  But imo the pros outweigh the cons. 

------------------------------
Wendell Lovewell
Information Technology Manager
MacKinney Systems, Inc

Original Message:
Sent: Tue May 04, 2021 11:25 PM
From: Edward Jaffe
Subject: Tired of Virtual Conferences?

Are you as tired of virtual conferences as I am? Do you hope, like I do, that in-person conferences will resume soon?

If nothing else, the Western world's response to the pandemic has taught me the value of in-person learning and of networking with industry peers.

What say you?

------------------------------
Ed Jaffe, CTO
Phoenix Software International
------------------------------

I do like the in-person conferences,  the virtual conferences are not a replacement for in-person events, but I must admit, sometimes its nice to learn and connect with other folks from the comfort of my office.




------------------------------
Natalie Carrillo
IBM Z Community Program Manager
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Tue May 04, 2021 11:25 PM
From: Edward Jaffe
Subject: Tired of Virtual Conferences?

Are you as tired of virtual conferences as I am? Do you hope, like I do, that in-person conferences will resume soon?

If nothing else, the Western world's response to the pandemic has taught me the value of in-person learning and of networking with industry peers.

What say you?

------------------------------
Ed Jaffe, CTO
Phoenix Software International
------------------------------

Yes and it makes more conferences available to us.  I am ready though for more in person

------------------------------
Tim Sutter
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Thu May 06, 2021 10:36 AM
From: Natalie Carrillo
Subject: Tired of Virtual Conferences?

I do like the in-person conferences,  the virtual conferences are not a replacement for in-person events, but I must admit, sometimes its nice to learn and connect with other folks from the comfort of my office.




------------------------------
Natalie Carrillo
IBM Z Community Program Manager

Original Message:
Sent: Tue May 04, 2021 11:25 PM
From: Edward Jaffe
Subject: Tired of Virtual Conferences?

Are you as tired of virtual conferences as I am? Do you hope, like I do, that in-person conferences will resume soon?

If nothing else, the Western world's response to the pandemic has taught me the value of in-person learning and of networking with industry peers.

What say you?

------------------------------
Ed Jaffe, CTO
Phoenix Software International
------------------------------

Ed:

I totally agree. SHARE and TechU (and all the other conferences I have attended online) were just not as "fulfilling" an experience as being together in person. At an in person event you tend to focus on the content, while online you end up multi-tasking and not as much attention to the speakers as you should. Mind you, it has allowed me to attend conferences I might otherwise have avoided due to time and expense constraints.

------------------------------
Jim Elliott
Senior IT Consultant
GlassHouse Systems Inc.
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Tue May 04, 2021 11:25 PM
From: Edward Jaffe
Subject: Tired of Virtual Conferences?

Are you as tired of virtual conferences as I am? Do you hope, like I do, that in-person conferences will resume soon?

If nothing else, the Western world's response to the pandemic has taught me the value of in-person learning and of networking with industry peers.

What say you?

------------------------------
Ed Jaffe, CTO
Phoenix Software International
------------------------------

Yes! Yes! Yes!
Bored! Bored! Bored!
Also, NO SWAG! How am I supposed to fill my kids' Christmas stockings where there's no swag to bag at in-person conferences?
Also, travel. Last year, I missed out on trips to Stockholm, Zurich, Warsaw, Croatia, Australia, (also, remotely possibly Japan), Edinburgh, and most of all, Newport!

------------------------------
Marcus Davage CEng CITP MBCS BSc
Lead Product Developer
BMC Software Ltd
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Tue May 04, 2021 11:25 PM
From: Edward Jaffe
Subject: Tired of Virtual Conferences?

Are you as tired of virtual conferences as I am? Do you hope, like I do, that in-person conferences will resume soon?

If nothing else, the Western world's response to the pandemic has taught me the value of in-person learning and of networking with industry peers.

What say you?

------------------------------
Ed Jaffe, CTO
Phoenix Software International
------------------------------

@Edward Jaffe I am so glad you asked this question.  Like many others, I do miss the in-person engagements. At the same time, when travel restrictions and budgets are tight, it has been able to access conferences virtually that would otherwise not be available. Hybrid offerings will be key for people - - as we see different parts of the world are having pandemic surges at different times. 

What I'd love to hear from people on this string - - - How can we make virtual event delivery better and more engaging? Is there a best practice people have seen? Any interactive components we should keep in mind?  Thank you for this helpful dialogue!
​

------------------------------
Debbie Kestin-Schildkraut
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Tue May 04, 2021 11:25 PM
From: Edward Jaffe
Subject: Tired of Virtual Conferences?

Are you as tired of virtual conferences as I am? Do you hope, like I do, that in-person conferences will resume soon?

If nothing else, the Western world's response to the pandemic has taught me the value of in-person learning and of networking with industry peers.

What say you?

------------------------------
Ed Jaffe, CTO
Phoenix Software International
------------------------------

In-person conferences are great places for networking, and I am yet to see that being done 100% successfully at a virtual event. Online presentations can work, but you don't get the same degree of audience interaction and it can feel a little soulless. In my experience online exhibitions really struggle. There's no substitute for the real thing. And then there are all those informal conversations at the bar afterwards that bring another dimension.

So I agree, for networking you just can't beat being in the same room, and we look forward to a return to in-person conferences as soon as possible.

------------------------------
Lynda Kershaw
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Tue May 04, 2021 11:25 PM
From: Edward Jaffe
Subject: Tired of Virtual Conferences?

Are you as tired of virtual conferences as I am? Do you hope, like I do, that in-person conferences will resume soon?

If nothing else, the Western world's response to the pandemic has taught me the value of in-person learning and of networking with industry peers.

What say you?

------------------------------
Ed Jaffe, CTO
Phoenix Software International
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 9/28/2021 8:13:00 AM
From: Lynda Kershaw
Subject: RE: Tired of Virtual Conferences?

In-person conferences are great places for networking, and I am yet to see that being done 100% successfully at a virtual event. Online presentations can work, but you don't get the same degree of audience interaction and it can feel a little soulless. In my experience online exhibitions really struggle. There's no substitute for the real thing. And then there are all those informal conversations at the bar afterwards that bring another dimension.

So I agree, for networking you just can't beat being in the same room, and we look forward to a return to in-person conferences as soon as possible.

------------------------------
Lynda Kershaw
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Tue May 04, 2021 11:25 PM
From: Edward Jaffe
Subject: Tired of Virtual Conferences?

Are you as tired of virtual conferences as I am? Do you hope, like I do, that in-person conferences will resume soon?

If nothing else, the Western world's response to the pandemic has taught me the value of in-person learning and of networking with industry peers.

What say you?

------------------------------
Ed Jaffe, CTO
Phoenix Software International
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 9/28/2021 8:13:00 AM
From: Lynda Kershaw
Subject: RE: Tired of Virtual Conferences?

In-person conferences are great places for networking, and I am yet to see that being done 100% successfully at a virtual event. Online presentations can work, but you don't get the same degree of audience interaction and it can feel a little soulless. In my experience online exhibitions really struggle. There's no substitute for the real thing. And then there are all those informal conversations at the bar afterwards that bring another dimension.

So I agree, for networking you just can't beat being in the same room, and we look forward to a return to in-person conferences as soon as possible.

------------------------------
Lynda Kershaw
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Tue May 04, 2021 11:25 PM
From: Edward Jaffe
Subject: Tired of Virtual Conferences?

Are you as tired of virtual conferences as I am? Do you hope, like I do, that in-person conferences will resume soon?

If nothing else, the Western world's response to the pandemic has taught me the value of in-person learning and of networking with industry peers.

What say you?

------------------------------
Ed Jaffe, CTO
Phoenix Software International
------------------------------

I honestly can't wait!

------------------------------
Natalie Carrillo
IBM Z Community Program Manager
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Tue September 28, 2021 10:49 AM
From: Edward Jaffe
Subject: Tired of Virtual Conferences?

I am excited to see SHARE has decided to go back to in-person events beginning in March, 2022.

https://www.share.org/Events/About-SHARE-Events/Event-Calendar

I'll be there in Dallas for sure!!!

---

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Original Message:
Sent: 9/28/2021 8:13:00 AM
From: Lynda Kershaw
Subject: RE: Tired of Virtual Conferences?

In-person conferences are great places for networking, and I am yet to see that being done 100% successfully at a virtual event. Online presentations can work, but you don't get the same degree of audience interaction and it can feel a little soulless. In my experience online exhibitions really struggle. There's no substitute for the real thing. And then there are all those informal conversations at the bar afterwards that bring another dimension.

So I agree, for networking you just can't beat being in the same room, and we look forward to a return to in-person conferences as soon as possible.

------------------------------
Lynda Kershaw

Original Message:
Sent: Tue May 04, 2021 11:25 PM
From: Edward Jaffe
Subject: Tired of Virtual Conferences?

Are you as tired of virtual conferences as I am? Do you hope, like I do, that in-person conferences will resume soon?

If nothing else, the Western world's response to the pandemic has taught me the value of in-person learning and of networking with industry peers.

What say you?

------------------------------
Ed Jaffe, CTO
Phoenix Software International
------------------------------

I am interested to see what my company does next year and going forward.  Conferences were a HUGE way of our life, but not sure if the costs can be spent going forward.  Personally, I am high risk, so need to stay home until Covid is more under control.  The learning can be done online, but the networking and getting to know our partners on a personal level can't be done without being in person.

------------------------------
Kari Nagle
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Tue May 04, 2021 11:25 PM
From: Edward Jaffe
Subject: Tired of Virtual Conferences?

Are you as tired of virtual conferences as I am? Do you hope, like I do, that in-person conferences will resume soon?

If nothing else, the Western world's response to the pandemic has taught me the value of in-person learning and of networking with industry peers.

What say you?

------------------------------
Ed Jaffe, CTO
Phoenix Software International
------------------------------

Looking forward to SHARE. There is just no substitute for the bandwidth of "in person."

Want to know one thing I miss with Zoom? I am a frequent presenter. In Zoom, you get effectively zero feedback. You explain something you have no idea if everyone is nodding their heads or scratching their heads. You make a little joke, you have no idea whether it went over or not. I am looking forward to a roomful of faces.

------------------------------
Charles Mills
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Tue May 04, 2021 11:25 PM
From: Edward Jaffe
Subject: Tired of Virtual Conferences?

Are you as tired of virtual conferences as I am? Do you hope, like I do, that in-person conferences will resume soon?

If nothing else, the Western world's response to the pandemic has taught me the value of in-person learning and of networking with industry peers.

What say you?

------------------------------
Ed Jaffe, CTO
Phoenix Software International
------------------------------

I agree with everything you've said, Charles as I am also a frequent presenter!

I give SHARE lots of credit for taking a risk and being the first mainframe conference of which I am aware to venture back into the realm of in-person events -- albeit with a reduced footprint (only ten rooms and three days instead of 4 1/2). They need our support now more than ever. Any- and everyone that's able to do so should support them and their brave stance by showing up for the Dallas event. It will be their first in-person event since February 2019 in Fort Worth.

SHARE virtual events did allow some folks with limited travel budgets to learn remotely where they might otherwise not have been able to do so in person. With that in mind, SHARE will be LIVE STREAMING three of the ten rooms in Dallas. Wishing to reach as wide an audience as possible, the schedulers will likely try to place what they consider to be their strongest content in those rooms.

So, the Dallas event should be a win-win for everyone!

------------------------------
Edward Jaffe
Chief Technology Officer
Phoenix Software International, Inc
El Segundo, CA CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Tue November 30, 2021 05:15 PM
From: Charles Mills
Subject: Tired of Virtual Conferences?

Looking forward to SHARE. There is just no substitute for the bandwidth of "in person."

Want to know one thing I miss with Zoom? I am a frequent presenter. In Zoom, you get effectively zero feedback. You explain something you have no idea if everyone is nodding their heads or scratching their heads. You make a little joke, you have no idea whether it went over or not. I am looking forward to a roomful of faces.

------------------------------
Charles Mills

Original Message:
Sent: Tue May 04, 2021 11:25 PM
From: Edward Jaffe
Subject: Tired of Virtual Conferences?

Are you as tired of virtual conferences as I am? Do you hope, like I do, that in-person conferences will resume soon?

If nothing else, the Western world's response to the pandemic has taught me the value of in-person learning and of networking with industry peers.

What say you?

------------------------------
Ed Jaffe, CTO
Phoenix Software International
------------------------------