Conference addendum

Add comment April 25th, 2006 David Bush - Iasta

I actually did not miss Andy Bartels, as I was able to have dinner with him last night. Since Minahan ran off for the quick strike in Atlanta (did I say that out loud?), Andy is one of the premier analysts in the space now, even if he splits time with IT requirements. He was very good to speak with and we had an in depth conversation about the value of contract management to different companies, in addition to a number of other topics which were very insightful including his opinion that best of breeds will always co-exist with the 800lbs gorillas (see Oracle-SAP) in this space.

Another interesting event was my informal single malt scotch session with the Ketera brass, all of whom have deep pedigree in the NoCal heyday. Can you say hayseed? I may have looked like them and talked like them but I have absolutely no idea what it is like to have been in meetings with Mark Andreessen or Scott McNeely. I was fascinated by the discussion of how Netscape people were the antithesis of AOL people and how billions of dollars were shifted around in perceived value with no true substance. Silicon Valley is like no other place on Earth, I firmly believe that. Even today, when most businesses here are somewhat grounded, the stories that live on are incredible, especially for some one that went 24 months without salary to build a company.

Overall, I leave this event with the strong feeling that Iasta needs to launch a similar user conference undertaking. We have just as many clients and for a couple years have taken on requests to sponsor such an event. Now that I have been to a few, I have seen what works and where the attendee value lies. Iasta WorldSource…I wonder if that is available?

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