Nov
30
Reflections on Online Educa Berlin 2007
November 30, 2007 |
In some respects this is always a quite difficult conference to judge - a large event (2200 delegates), multinational flavour despite its European heart, a session programme that tries hard to be even handed and cover a wide range of topics - but from a JISC and SURF perspective our objectives are longer term and about relationship building, national profile and influencing
This year there were some notably absent large, corporate exhibitors (such as Microsoft etc) that may reflect the change in their budgets and approach moving towards invite-only event. In some ways this seemed to allow the other exhibitors to feel a little relieved not to be in the shadow of the ‘giants’ and the exhibition was once again busy and varied. From a JISC point of view questions from stand visitors were more specific and targeted - perhaps reflecting their better preparation.
Reports back from sessions were varied - some seen as quite good, but others rather disappointing - this is the problem with a large and expanding show that understandably sometimes struggles to maintain a quality consistency for its presenters
The JISC Surf stand area worked probably the best that it has so far - with a high footfall, some useful networking contacts made, and a good general ‘buzz’ around the spaces. Some useful contacts were made and re-made with people from Australia, Korea, Norway, Germany (surprise, surprise), and an organisation new to us from the UK and basd in Westbury near Bristol…. all that way to bridge a gap of five miles, still.
The stand was also home to the ‘official’ birthday cake presentation to Bas Cordewener, one of the key contacts in the JISC/SURF partnership, on the occasion of a ’significant’ milestone …
