Why go to the VM Workshop?

Some of the Best VM Sessions You'll See Anywhere!

Many talks, seen at the more expensive conferences are presented at the VM Workshop, in a smaller, more intimate setting. Same talks, same speakers, and a chance to throw a frisbee with the speaker afterwards.

Because the VM Workshop is less formal, some of the talks take on the atmosphere of discussion groups or "this is the neat solution I came up with for this problem" sessions. People get to talk about the topics that really interest them.

Some of the Smallest Expense Reports You'll See!

For what you pay for just a hotel room at some conferences, the VM Workshop adds:

• The conference registration fee
• The famous VM Workshop tools tape
• Your meals, from the opening session through the closing
• A modest dorm room, just like you had in college
• A really cool t-shirt
• and lessons in making balloon animals!

Some of the Best Talks You'll Never See Repeated!

At the VM Workshop, everyone's encouraged to speak. The VM community has always relied upon the contributions of many different people. The Workshop philosophy is that everyone has something interesting to say. Therefore, no presentation is too short or too trivial. Sometimes you find great talks in modest little time slots, little tips and how-tos you can put to work as soon as you get back to the office.

The Best Audience You'll Ever Have

Does your boss pressure you to give presentations, but the idea petrifies you? Well, the Workshop is a great place to get over it. The audiences are small, friendly and very patient. You'll have nothing to fear when speaking at a VM Workshop.

Personal Contact with IBM Developers and other Vendors

One of the best aspects of the VM Workshop is the close contact with people from IBM and other vendors who actually work on your products. Its a great opportunity to ask questions and give feedback directly to the people who need to hear it. You may find that they are actually pretty "good people" too.

Exotic Locations

VM Workshops are traditionally held on college campuses to hold down the cost. Therefore, its your opportunity to see such exotic places as Manhattan, Kansas; East Lansing, Michigan; Lexington, Kentucky and Montreal, Canada. Montreal? (Someday, perhaps even Poughkeepsie, NY.)

And Not a Suit in Sight!

While VM Workshop people are serious about VM and serious about getting the most for their conference travel dollar, they also know how to relax and have fun. The VM Workshop has been called a "summer camp for VM programmers". So take off that tie, put on some sandals, and concentrate on just two things: VM, and having a good time while making new friends.