Rational conferences and User Group
Since a lot of Business Analysts use tools from IBM Rational, today’s topic talks a bit about the upcoming conference and the user groups.
I am looking at the year ahead and thinking I will go to the Rational User Conference this year. I think they call it the Rational Software Developer Conference now. I am an old-timer and the original name comes easier to my mind. 
I started at Rational Software in 1991 - my how time flies!
The conference is in Orlando, Florida, USA again, June 10-14, 2007 at Walt Disney World.
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/rational/events/rsdc2007/
I was there last year, and will warn you to get your hotel reservation early. By 2 weeks before the conference, Disney World in general was sold out of rooms. The conference hotel was sold out much earlier than that. Since I decided to go at the last minute, I had to get a hotel outside the park. I didn’t want a car, since you have to pay to park at Disney World, and if I’m at the conference then I am not doing much driving. But the cost of a taxi ride for just a couple of miles was shocking!
Get your hotel room inside Disney World (as early as possible for the best rates), take the shuttle from the airport, and you will not need a car since all events are at Walt Disney World. I think this is the best approach to housing/transportation.
Anyone else going? Post a comment here to let me know you are going, and we can meet somewhere at the conference. I love meeting people I know from online, and getting a chance to chat and find out what is happening in your life / career.
The other thing I wanted to talk about today are the Rational User Groups. I just started one in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA - there are quite a number of Rational users here who are looking for a place to meet each other and share notes on how to make the best use of the products. Check the website at http://www.rational-ug.org to find out if there is a user group in your city. If not, look into starting one. It is a great way to meet other professional people in your area.
Besides meeting people in your local area, another benefit of joining a Rational User Group is that you get a discounted rate on the Rational Sofware Developer conference, plus there is a bonus reception for Rational User Group members.
Best!
Geri
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