360Flex – wrapping it up

I wrote some thoughts down on my site, but wanted to post a more official wrap up as well.

What went right

  • Bug quash: They didn’t have the turn out they had hoped for, but I know some bugs got quashed, so that’s a plus.
  • Pre-Conference training: It’s always a pleasure to have Matt Boles with us, this time he took his own time and travel to come and deliver an awesome Flex 101 hands on. What was cool is that while it was “Flex 101″ Matt upped the Anti with some Blaze DS action, so it was a good class for even experienced developers.
  • Welcome Reception and Speaker Sponsor reception: The Rock Bottom Brewery was an awesome location. I really liked it. The food was tasty, the beer yummy, the people nice. The parties are fun and challenging. Tom and I want to make sure they don’t suck but also want to make sure to meet as many people as we can and thank them for coming. That meant being “Gatekeepers” of the drink tickets, keeping the Rock Band action going, making sure if we ran out of food, that more was ordered, etc. AND walking around saying hi to people.
  • Monday’s Keynote: Matt Chotin is awesome. He’s a great speaker and makes the keynotes funny and informative.  It’s always a pleasure to have him at 360|Flex!
  • Charity Code Jam: It almost didn’t happen. Like literally the week before 360|Flex Indy, we were helping Ali and Shannon lock down the details, etc. While we wish we could actually support it fully, we can’t, so we’re really glad someone (webapper) stepped up to help out! The Charity Code jam is just one of those things that feels good. After so many hours of coding non stop, missing sessions, missing the sun, etc. to stand in front of the entire conference to show off what you’ve accomplished, is just awesome. Hats off to everyone who participated, and Ali for organizing it. I really truly hope a company (Adobe! Are you listening! This is HUGE) hires Ali to organize jams at every confernce.
  • Monday night party: We did all our evening events at Rock Bottom, which made it easier for folks to know where to be and when. Same awesome time as Sunday, Rock Band going nuts, folks grabbing a booth to chat, and meet.
  • Wednesday keynote: I love the Wednesday keynote. Sunday and Monday Tom and I work the reg booth, so we meet everyone that comes in, but it’s only for a few seconds usually. We see everyone at lunch, and the parties too, but inevitably there’s people we just never get to connect with. I see the Wednesday keynote as the time to connect with everyone (everyone that is awake that is, LOL). We talk about numbers (something I frankly challenge all other conferences to do), we talk about the code jam, we let community members present their projects, it’s just a great time for Tom and I too look ou at the crowd and see our customers/friends/drinking buddies and really appreciate why we do it. Without sounding corny, the Wednesday keynote really helps refocus Tom and I on why we’re in this business.
  • Our Sponsors! They’re awesome and each one deserves your business. Check them out, see what they have to offer. Without Sponsors 360|Flex would be impossible to offer.
  • Our Speakers! 40+ of the biggest names in the Flex development community. People who are launching open source projects, offering consulting services, and just sharing what they know and what they’ve learned to help everyone else. Our speakers are awesome!

What went less than right

  • Pre-Conference training: We only had one offering this time. I wish more companies would get involved in this. It’s a great way to educate a huge group of possible users of your tool, and get your name out there in front of a ton of people who might not otherwise investigate your offering.
  • Monday Keynote: One of these days I hope to have the check in process so under control that we’re either done by the time the keynote is supposed to start, or able to leave the desk for a bit. My wife Nicole rocks for helping, she’s invaluable, but I wouldn’t leave alone with you monsters :) I think the only keynote I’ve done on a Monday might have been Seattle maybe? Or San Jose ’07? I want to do more of those.
  • Monday Keynote content: We forgot to address “House keeping” items, like the OPEN slots being filled, the session survey being ready by Monday afternoon, etc.
  • Tuesday night party: Officially it was the “Adobe Party” but that was name only. I don’t know if it’s a curse or what, but when it’s an “Adobe Party” it’s kinda weak. Usually it’s our fault, not Adobes. This time was no exception, I selected the food I thought would be a nice fit, and would last. Unfortunately it didn’t last, and unlike previous nights, there was no food to be ordered since the restaurant was packed because of a concert, there was not extra food to be had. Party Fail :(
  • Session Surveys: the app rocks, but it wasn’t ready in time, and we had a hard time conveying it’s importance and how to use it.

Overall 360|Flex Indy was a huge success! Tom and I are very proud of the event, and extremely happy to have had everyone with us, we appreciate that there’s several options out there for technical conferences, and appreciate the faith, and hope we delivered, and we’ll see you next time. Please make sure if you haven’t already, tell us what we did wrong, and right, and spread the word. Word of mouth is more valuable to us, than anything else.

If you’re in the Mobile space, check out our InsideMobile event. If you’re looking at the RIA space (uh yeah, Flex developers, hello) check out our InsideRIA event. Both events are partnerships with O’Reilly, and we’re really excited about them!

360Flex – What’s going down on Sunday, Day 0 of the show?

As always, we have stuff going down on the Sunday before the show.  We like to think of Sunday as a time to sorta ease into the show.  You can avoid the masses by grabbing your badge, get into the swing of things with a hands on and then, of course, start the networking opportunities at the reception.  This year will be no different.  Here’s what we have in store for you.

Flex 101 for Beginners – Led by Matt Boles and TA’d by

This full day hands on course will get you up to speed on the basics of Flex.  If you’re new to Flex or just haven’t played with it in awhile, this is definitely for you.  Even if you do use Flex semi-regularly, but still don’t quite understand how everything works, stop on by.  It’s free.  If you didn’t say you were attending when you registered, no worries.  Just drop us a line at info@360conferences.com and we’ll get you on the list.

Bug Quash – Make the Flex SDK a better place

As you may have heard, there are now public events for quashing Flex SDK bugs.  This is good news for everyone.  The next one will be held at 360|Flex Indy.  This is even better news for those coming to the show.  Here’s you chance to leave a mark on the Flex SDK…in a good way. :)  Head on over to http://bugquash.com for more info and to sign up.  There’s are prerequisites, so be sure to read up on them.  All who would like to come are welcomed.  It’s free too.

Speaker Sponsor Dinner – By invite only

If you’re a speaker or a sponsor, we have some fancy eats for you.  It’s our way of saying thanks and giving you a chance to all mingle and meet each other.  If you qualify for either group, stay tuned to your email for more details.

Welcome Reception – Open to all @ Rock Bottom Brewery

This is the kickoff networking event.  All attendees are more than welcome to join us at this social event.  Come grab your badge and a bite or drink.  Meet the people that will become your friends for the next few days.  It’s always a blast and it’s 360|Conferences way of saying “Welcome to the show.”

That’s what’s currently lined up.  If you have something else you’d like to see, drop it in the comments.  Have something else you’d like to present as a hands-on half day or full day session, drop a line to info@360conferences.com and let us know.  We’re always more than happy to have additional Sunday trainings.

If any of this stuff sounds good for you and you haven’t registered yet, get on it.  Register now for only $550!  That’s how much other conferences charge you just for Day 0 activities like these.  Yet at 360|Flex you get 3 whole more days with over 40+ sessions for that same price.  See you in Indy!

360Flex – Quash bugs, help Charities

Part of what makes 360|Flex conferences so special for many people is the chance to get outside their normal flow and do something they normally wouldn’t. The Flex Charity Code Jam has existed since 360|Flex Seattle and has been the love child of Ali Daniali, He’s a rock star, and some one (Adobe are you listening) should hire him to do this stuff all over. Charity + Flex == AWESOME.

This year for 360|Flex Indy, Leif Wells is upping the bar on awesome! He’s leading the Adobe Bug Quash effort on Sunday May 17th. Adobe’s first Bug Quash was last weekend, in Seattle, bringing people together from all over to reduce the bug count in the open Source Flex SDK.

Tom and I are really excited that this will be taking place during 360|Flex Indy, what better place to help fix Flex SDK bugs, than the largest gathering (don’t be fooled by imitators, LOL) of Flex developers in the world.

We know the Bug Quash is happening, we just have to tell Leif which room. Once we’ve got more details we’ll make sure to post them. Make sure you’re in town Sunday. Between free Pre-Conference training, Bug Quashing and welcome receptions, Sunday’s a busy day.

Don’t miss out! you won’t get a better collection of experts together in one place than 360|Flex. Missing this conference would be a sin! I’m pretty sure I read that somewhere! Register NOW