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IOUG SIGs Deliver Expertise, Networking at Pre-OpenWorld Sessions

With Oracle OpenWorld 2009 right around the corner, we spoke with Independent Oracle User Group (IOUG) President Ian Abramson about the mini-conference his group is busy preparing.

Scheduled for the afternoon of Sunday, October 10—the day before the official kickoff of Oracle OpenWorld—the IOUG-sponsored forum provides informal, interactive sessions by a wide array of Special Interest Groups (SIGs). The sessions are open to all OpenWorld attendees; no additional registration is required.

Besides leading the IOUG, Abramsom serves as Director of Enterprise Data at ThoughtCorp, a leading Toronto-based consultancy that specializes in solving complex IT and businesses challenges.

Why do you think it's important for Oracle users to check out the pre-OpenWorld SIG sessions?
These sessions provide an unparalleled opportunity for Oracle customers to share great content with each other—the type of expertise that grows out of nitty-gritty, hands-on experience using Oracle solutions. Attendees see how other people have gotten the most out of Oracle while also lowering costs. So it’s a great way for attendees to prepare for OpenWorld and get the most they can out of the conference.

Besides knowledge transfer, what else can attendees expect?
The ability to meet other like-minded people in the community who share your same needs and interests can be so helpful personally and professionally. It’s also great to start building these connections before the conference starts, because it helps you get that much more out of the days that follow.

What are some of the "take aways"—the real-world benefits—of attending the SIG sessions?
It is about being able to learn from someone who has actually implemented and used Oracle technology. If you can meet just three or four people who you can reach out to after the conference is over, that can make huge difference—sometimes in surprising ways.

How have you personally benefited as an IOUG member?
At this April's COLLABORATE 09 conference, I reached out to a small group of content management experts. Since then, ThoughtCorp has had several opportunities in the content management space. Because of the network I was able to set up, we have been able to bid on projects that we would never have been able to before.

What motivated you to take a leadership role in the IOUG?
I have been involved for a long time, and I’ve found that it becomes addictive—the ability to meet new people, keep learning and reaching out. Plus, being active and speaking at conferences really has been a differentiator for my career.

Learn More

• Learn more and register now for Oracle OpenWorld 2009.
• Learn more about the Independent Oracle Users Group.

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