RPG & DB2 Summit - Spring 2008

Over 160 System i professionals convened in Orlando the week of March 10 to participate in the RPG & DB2 Summit, the leading conference serving the System i development community. With two half-day workshops and more than 50 sessions to choose from, the days were packed with "intense, head-spinning, invigorating and rejuvenating" education, as attendee Linda Fiato put it. Despite the rigor of the week, the final day found attendees smiling and excited about what they were taking away from their Summit experience.

Check out the conference photo gallery for a pictorial tour of conference activities.

In addition to classroom learning, Summiteers took full advantage of more casual opportunities to get to know each other, the speakers, and the vendor community. Lunchtime and breaks buzzed with conversation as people relaxed together and shared experiences and ideas. One-on-one discussions and ad hoc groups formed around Summit instructors Susan Gantner, Jon Paris, Paul Tuohy, Skip Marchesani, Scott Klement, Mike Cain, Kent Milligan, Barbara Morris, George Farr, Bruce Vining, Bob Luebbe and Aaron Bartell.

There was standing room only at George Farr's Keynote Address, as he walked us through the major changes in IBM's application development tool packaging coming with V6R1.

We had a Wii bit of fun in the evenings, too. Monday evening registration found people visiting with vendors and each other, and playing Wii. On Tuesday evening we gathered for a reception, some magic, dinner and lots of laughs as Paul Tuohy gave away a boatload of door prizes, including the Wii. Our happy Wii winner told his kids that he was bringing home a surprise, but not what it was. A Wii sure beats Mickey Mouse ears! On Wednesday evening about a quarter of the group gathered together after sessions for a casual WDSC/RDi roundtable.

Plans are underway to take the Summit to Las Vegas in October 2008. You can expect the same quality sessions and speakers, the same great value, the same positive energy. Registration will open soon. Be sure to sign up for our email list to make sure you get all the details!