Benefits of TechEd

I was reading a blog the other day and they were talking about how they aren't coming to TechEd 2012 because they didn't get anything out of TechEd last year. I'm sure everyone's experiences are different, but that is the first time I have ever heard that from a TechEd alumni. Usually I hear that there is so much information it's overwhelming. That's been my experience, at least.

TechEd ain't cheap and talking your boss into plunking down a few grand to send you may be hard. Before walking into the Orange County Convention Center It is possible to spend over $3,000. With meals and other spending, it can be costly. But the return on investment can be easily recouped. With all due respect to the blogger, I would like to give what I thought are the benefits of going to TechEd and help justify the money spent. I can only speak from my experience and I'm still figuring things out.

Whether you like Microsoft or not, the fact is they are a monster in the IT world and to be successful it's a good idea to understand what they are doing and what is coming out. TechEd gives us access not only to what's going on with Microsoft, but what is coming up in the future. We also get to talk with the people that are creating and working on these products.

The first year I went I tried to find out everything I could. I reached out to a few of the speakers and they all got back to me and answered my questions. I was actually invited to a private Microsoft party at the New Orleans Aquarium. Granted, none of them were the "rockstars" like Mark Russinovich, but it has been my experience that all of the speakers want to help people and will talk with you before, during, and/or after TechEd. You may even be able to have lunch with some of them.  Look for the blue button up shirts when finding a table.

Speaking of lunch, talking to people sitting at your table is an invaluable benefit of TechEd. The convention center is going to be filled with people like you. There are IT pros and Developers that are looking for answers and have gone through many different issues. Networking with your fellow geeks will help you with the problems you are going through now or will go through in the future, because we all know there will be problems. The chance to get to know other IT pros has been a huge help to me and I know it is to others.

The obvious benefit of TechEd is the mass amount of information that is presented. Looking at the catalog of sessions can be overwhelming. The sessions span many technologies and are for the novice and experienced alike. There are sessions introducing technologies like IPv6 and App-V as well as deep dives into  SharePoint 2010 and SQL Server 2012 plus so much more. Check out the catalog for yourself and I'm sure you will see tons of stuff that will pique your interest, unless you're not a geek.

This will be my third TechEd and I am still gleaning form the first two. I have no doubt that I have more than returned my companies investment in me. This year they'll fork out some more money for me to go to TechEd 2012 and I will be that much more prepared to meet the challenges of future technology. Will you?

If this is your first time to TechEd, no matter what year, check out my tips.