Convergence 2011 to Welcome Large Crowds with More User-Driven Content

Convergence 2011 in Atlanta, set for April 10 to 13, is set to be as big as or bigger than the 2010 event. With 8,500 attendees last year, the Convergence event team is estimating at least the same attendance this year. 

But Convergence event manager Heather Kulla says the number could go higher - possibly to 9,500.  Since they exceeded last year's estimate of 7,500, Kulla is not ruling out a larger-than-expected showing.

Attendees can also expect a full exhibit hall.  Sponsorships are sold out, with a waiting list.  While the 2010 event also sold out for sponsors, there was no waiting list to speak of.  Organizers will be making an extra effort to help attendees sort through the huge exhibit hall with better classification of exhibitors by Dynamics products, and industry needs. 

Kulla noted that event organizers have made a point to ensure that all the sessions at the 2011 event are based on topics requested by the customers, submitted through the Dynamics customer advisory board, the partner advisory council, and through the Dynamics user groups. 

Microsoft is making some adjustments to the keynote offerings as well. With CEO Steve Ballmer and vice president of Microsoft Business Solutions Kirill Tatarinov speaking on the opening day, organizers are offering only one other keynote, on the final day of the event.  Writer Malcolm Gladwell will be presenting on Wednesday to close out the event.  Past events have featured keynotes nearly every day. "We want everyone to stay around, but my goal is to make it a valuable experience from the first day to the last moment at the event," says Kulla.