Well I attended DevLink down in Nashville, TN last week.  It was my first time, but certainly won't be my last.  John Kellar and all the volunteers did a great job pulling off a super conference that felt more like a huge extended community code camp than what I traditional think of as an "industry conference" (e.g. TechEd, SxSW, PDC, etc...).  Don't read that as a negative in any way- it was a great experience, and by far one of the best values all year (it was $100).

 

The sessions were great and they had even added a SharePoint track this year, so there was no shortage of good stuff happening each day.  One thing that I do regret is not checking out the Open Spaces stuff (sorry Alan, the timing just never worked out).  As is often the case with conferences though, it was the networking that happens informally in the evenings that really provides the incalculable value.  From the quiet lobby-bar chats to the loud parties out at the Honky Tonks (Tootsie's Orchid Lounge was a favorite) I made a ton of new friends that I'm sure I'll keep in touch with and see again and again.

 

Particularly I'd like to thank my new friends from the SharePoint community,Eric Shupps, Cathy Dew, Dan Usher, Rob Foster, Rick Kierner, Becky Isserman, and Dennis Bottjer.

 

Lastly, let me post a quick soundbite from the closing panel.  It's Richard Campbell telling his Goliath story.  Seriously, this guy is a great story-teller- I can just imagine him on NPR or something listening to this.