Get the most out of your Sitecore Symposium 2020 Experience
Sitecore Symposium is here! I have made note of a few key tactics to employ before, during, and after Symposium to get the most out of your Sitecore and Symposium experience. Fill out my digital maturity assessment and I will send you a customized list of which sessions you should attend and watch based on your current marketing objectives.
Sign Up
First of all, if you haven’t yet, you should sign up for Symposium. Here are the top 3 reasons to do so:
You can attend Symposium for free with the General Pass. Having managed a Sitecore development and marketing team before, it’s always been a challenge to pick who can and cannot attend. This year, your whole team can engage in some manner with the General Pass, and get something out of the sessions, or learn about Sitecore’s newest features in the CORE.
The All access pass, while not free, is only $395. This includes 2 full days of engagement with Sitecore and partners, a few premium keynotes, 70+ featured and on-demand sessions, and 3 training sessions. The cost of Sitecore Symposium, with flight and hotel, most years has been at least 5x the cost. And 1 training session alone can cost at least $395. It’s well worth the value to “send” at least a few members of your team to Sitecore Symposium this year.
Networking has always been a huge piece of the Sitecore Community. It’s easy to get lost in your own silo, and use the tool(s) as you’ve always been using them. When so much of the world has been disrupted in the last few months, Sitecore Symposium gives you a great opportunity to network with others like you and understand what they are doing with Sitecore, and how you can continue to leverage the tool in different ways, and get the most out of your investment, which moves me perfectly into the next topic.
Engage
Without an in person event this year, it will be easy to just keep working, or get distracted with dogs or kids or dishes that need done. It will be an interesting, unprecedented virtual conference, and there will be day to day things that get in the way. However, take advantage of more than just attending the sessions, and here are a few ways to engage:
Engage the speakers: In the years past, especially when I have spoken :P, there’s a swarm of attendees asking questions to the speaker, even after the session is done. Don’t let the virtual nature of Symposium stop you from interacting with the speakers after. Connect with them in the portal and continue to engage them.
View the sponsor resource pages, meeting rooms, and partner pavillion: Sitecore Partners are here to help you get the most out of your investment. Even if you are not looking for a new partner, they are a great opportunity to learn something new, get something for free, find the speakers and engage them, and network with others doing the same thing as you. If you are a partner/sponsor, I would encourage you to visit other sponsor pages and rooms. In roles as client and partner, this has always been one of my favorite parts of Symposium.
Take part in the match-making: If you are looking for a new partner, or simply venturing into a new arena, such as personalization, content hub, or commerce, use Sitecore’s new match making program to be connected with a partner that is best suited to help you. When 40% of heterosexual couples are finding their significant others online, there is no better way to be suited with the best partner to help you out and is aligned with your needs.
Meet and network with other attendees: It’s going to be important to remember this year that you’re at a conference, not a webinar or training. The best part of a conference is networking and connecting with other like-minded individuals. Use your down-time to connect with other attendees, possibly those in the same industry, in the same place in their digital maturity, and facing similar challenges as you.
Attend sessions put up by sponsors and visit Sitecore’s CORE: The advertised sessions on the agenda are not the only ones to attend. Partners will be conducting everything from audits to targeted sessions, and it’s a great way to keep engaged in your downtime. Also visit Sitecore’s CORE to discuss Sitecore’s newest features with Sitecore themselves.
Discuss on twitter: Use the hashtag #sitecoreSYM to point out your key takeaways from sessions, and give the speakers kudos. It’s a great way to showcase your engagement, even when virtual. Feel free to bring in your dog, kid, or even your dishes into the posts.
Attend all the types of Sessions
Sitecore Symposium this year has a few different types of sessions. The good news is that most of the sessions are on demand and can be watched in your own time, before 12/31. Here’s a breakdown of all the sessions:
Training: Sitecore is offering 3 training sessions with Sitecore trainers as part of your All Access Pass: SXA with JSS, Horizon, and Content Hub DAM. Even if you are not using these tools today, there is no reason not to attend these training sessions and learn more about Sitecore’s newest development and content editing toolsets.
General Sessions: This is open to everyone with a free pass. It’s a great opportunity for those who aren’t committed to learn a little bit about Sitecore. This will include all the major keynotes for Sitecore Symposium and an introduction into Symposium
Premium Keynote: These keynotes are only open to All Access Pass Holders. In the past, the Premium Keynotes have included Sitecore’s roadmap and product information. Last year, for example, Sitecore AI and SaaS were announced in the closing keynote. By far, my favorite keynote, to learn where the product is going and what I need to do to be on par with them.
Influencer Roundtables: The top sponsors at Symposium have an opportunity to bring their experts and top clients to the table in a panel-type discussion, to bring out their top stories. This session is great for learning case studies, the ways in which clients are using Sitecore, and the results.
Featured Breakout Sessions: 42 sessions have been picked to be presented on a “live” stage with Q&A. These sessions are what Symposium is all about. A great opportunity to tune in and ask the presenters questions on the spot, or follow up with them after. If you miss them, all the sessions will be available for on demand.
On Demand Breakout Sessions: 50+ sessions that will be available on demand for post Symposium viewing. Being one of these speakers, I know that there is some great content in these on demand sessions, and they are available for your viewing pleasure until December 31st. Here is a link to my session for those interested in understanding how to use your two analytics platforms (Google and Sitecore) to their fullest potential: Sitecore Analytics vs Google Analytics: On your marks, Get set, ANALYZE
Get the Freebies and Giveaways
Sitecore Symposium always has a fair amount of giveaways and freebies, and even with the virtual stage, this year will be no different. Make sure to visit partner booths and resources pages to see what partners are putting out. Freebies are not just pens and bottles. Several partners and sponsors are giving away training, workshops, audits, and trial versions of software. Check out the RDA page to sign up for our free workshops.
Hope you all make the most of your time at Sitecore Symposium, during, and after. See you all there! #sitecoresym
