This week's Microsoft Dynamics SL User Group fall conference sees attendee growth

For the Microsoft Dynamics SL User Group, it really is all about the users. 

With a product that moves at a somewhat slower pace than its Dynamics ERP cousins in terms of release cadence, the upcoming Dynamics SL User Group fall conference, which starts on Wednesday September 18 in San Diego, is an opportunity for SL customers, third-party developers, consultants, and Microsoft team members to reconnect with the community, share ideas, and discuss ways that Dynamics SL can help their companies.

"We say, it's ‘For the users, by the users,'" said Becky Kukis, Controller, Magnet Inc., the nonprofit Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network, and current president of the Dynamics SL User Group. And the event is growing, up from about 100 to 400 attendees in the past four years, she says. That's more SL attendees than you might find at Convergence.

"At Convergence we find out what to do with the product, but at the user conference, we try to show users how," said Kukis. "It's very how-to. Even our interactive discussions are how-to. We expect the users to participate during those interactive discussions and actually learn how to do something."

Over the five years that Kukis has been part of the user group, she has tried to push the idea of "networking" among users. The group has also been bringing more structure to its operations.  They have added board members, as well as an administrative company that helps them with marketing efforts, the website, and accounting.