Merit of attending ITSMF conference?

[TomOzITIL]

Folks,

Does anyone have an opinion about the value of attending ITSMF conferences? I'm based in Australia and I expect that various chapters offer varying quality conferences. Yes, I have a local membership but have mainly used it to buy some books thusfar.

I've been to my share of Gartner conferences as delegate, exhibiter and speaker. I expect this is much smaller and more focused - but your experience in calibre of speakers and attendees?

Look forward to feedback.

[m_croon]

Hi Tom,

Here in the Netherlands, we just had our itSMF Academy yesterday. This is a relatively small event (there were aprox. 300 people). I was there as a speaker, and apart from talking about itil v3, it was nice to meet a bunch of people that I hadn't talked to for 2-3 years.

There are other itSMF events here in NL, ranging from the spring congress (aprox. 800 people, 1 day) and the Fall-congress (2 days, 800-900 people) to small seminars, CIO event etc.

Topics here in the Netherlands are various, certainly not only re. ITIL. (but also: MOF, ASL, BiSL, ISOxxxx(x), tooling, ABC (Attitude, Behaviour, Culture - Human Factor), project mgt etc.). We have had international speakers on various occasions (in oktober, there will be an event with almost 100 speakers).

The value of attending these events for me is to gain new insights on various topics and to meet up with colleagues and customers.

Cheers,

Michiel

[TomOzITIL]

Until 3 months ago we worked for the same company (Australian subsidiary was sold off). I found you on the global address book.

small world.

[m_croon]

Hi Tom,

It's a pleasure to meet you and a shame we didn't meet earlier. From the vast knowledge and experience that speaks from your posts, I should have known we used to be colleagues

[FGD]

I attended some conferences set up by our ITSMF chapters, both local and national. The quality of the presentations varied, but in smaller ones (50 people or less), it's always possible to discuss with the speaker afterwards, and it's when it gets more interesting, if the topic is of some interest to you. Another benefit is to connect with people into ITIL.
The national conference had lots of vendors too, which might be useful to get product demonstrations (even though this is usually limited to checking out the UI, as sales reps will always tell you that their product supports all of your needs...)
I'm more inclined to attend the local meetings in the future myself.

[LDV60]

Tom,
I'm lucky enough to have the QLD State ITSMF chapter meetings at my workplace. (in our auditoriums)
They're a great event where you get to see and hear about real world implementations big and small.
They're also are really good mechanism to assist with networking.
I'm planning on attending the national conference in Canberra for the same reason.

[itilimp]

I've attended itSMF conferences and seminars in the UK only and I've found them, on the whole, to be very informative and helpful in making me think about things/approaches that I may not otherwise. Not sure I'd fly half way around the world for one though given that you can download the presentations on the website and then follow up with the speakers from there. I guess it comes down to budgets

[TomOzITIL]

Know what you mean. With buying the v3 books and the v3 mgrs bridge course this year an extra few grand for the conference might be stretching the budget.

[DYbeach]

The local forums are good for networking especially if you are the only change/problem etc manager. Don't know if I would spring for a national conference as well as losing a few days' income. Escpecially if it's in Canberra
_________________
DYbeach
ITIL V3 Release, Control & Validation,
ITIL V3 Operation SUpport & Analysis
PMI CAPM (R)

"In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." George Orwell