Ed Brill

Lotusphere 2005 is now seeking session proposals via the Call for Abstracts website.  Note: Birds-of-a-feather session proposals are not yet being accepted -- I'll post an update when that system is live.
Submissions must be received by October 20 -- so you have two weeks.
This is the second year we've opened abstract submission to the general market, not just IBM/Lotus and business partners.  Should be interesting.

The track descriptions aren't posted yet, but they are fairly self-documenting:

• Pre-conference jumpstarts: Two-hour in-depth educational sessions
• IT Management - Strategy and Planning: Typically product roadmap and industry trend sessions, business-level content
• Application development: Sessions that cover application development capabilities; oriented towards current and future products and offerings
• Planning/managing infrastructure: Sessions on infrastructure topics like security, directory, administration, performance, deployment, coexistence, integration, etc.
• Best practices: Technical proof points on the here-and-now products
• Customer case studies: "...details how they're utilizing Lotus software to drive line of business results and empower people".  Note -- preference is typically given to companies who have not previously spoken in the Lotusphere case studies track.

One of my personal objectives for Lotusphere 2005 is to expand the breadth of presenters featured during the conference.  However, it's important to keep in mind that we have limited slots and seemingly unlimited proposals.  The best way to get your session proposal considered -- write a succinct and clear abstract, and have a timely topic.  Also, remember, that at Lotusphere, there are a number of topics we're always going to reserve for IBM/Lotus employees to present.  In previous years, I've seen submissions for topics like "What's new in the Notes client" -- not likely to accept an outside speaker on a topic like that!

If you have any questions, feel free to comment here or e-mail me.  I can't coach you on what topics to submit - that wouldn't really be fair - but mechanics of the process or clarifications, happy to help.  Looking forward to reading some interesting proposals.