Introduction

Trust – Relationships – Vision
ConnectionPoint '09

Welcome to the registration site for ConnectionPoint '09, the annual opportunity for the global IDS community to gather and mutually benefit from networking, learning, discussion and information exchange. 

We understand that this year is not “business as usual.”  Many of you have told us about the kinds of budget limitations you are working with in general, and in your travel budgets in particular.  But you have also told us that, in extraordinary times like these, the importance and value of ConnectionPoint is only greater.  As a result, we have worked to create a little bit of extra innovation and ingenuity to make this ConnectionPoint ‘09 particularly valuable to you.

• You have consistently told us that, beyond the obvious value of up-to-date information and networking with other customers, you especially value the opportunity to talk face-to-face with our staff.  How could we ensure that would happen?  The answer was obvious:  we could achieve that goal by holding the conference sessions in our own headquarters in the 50-story IDS tower (more on the building name at the conference).  You’ll be literally in the midst of our team the entire conference, with more opportunities for interaction than ever before.
• You have also told us that, beyond simply receiving information, practical, hands-on training in the use and capabilities of our solutions has a particularly high value for many of your staff.  So 40% of this year’s conference sessions (two of the five concurrent sessions during each time block) will be hands-on training in specific capabilities.
• To directly assist you with the budget issue, we’ve also decreased the early bird conference registration fee to pre Y2K levels - $845 per person if you register by April 24!

So there’s the business case for participating in ConnectionPoint ’09.  I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that there will also be special efforts to enhance your networking opportunities – with us, with other customers, and with our partners – and at least one special event with a breath-taking view from the 50th floor. 

They say that when times get tough, the tough get going.  This time, the place to get going to is Minneapolis, MN, June 7-10.  We’re looking forward to hosting you here.

Sincerely,
Todd B. Davis
Chief Executive Officer