Eric Stewart: Running Off At The Mouth

2017 was a very trying year for me.  I don’t need to list all of the things that have made it difficult to post anything I’ve come across on this site (and even my alter-ego has been mostly ignored for a while).  Even as far as work is concerned, while I’m still employed, my time has been spent chasing lit matches to prevent fires, and the one issue that’s been plaguing me for the better part of the year has yet to be resolved … so it’s not yet ready for a post.

However, I still have my ear to the ground for news items.  While for a bit there there was some question about whether or not I’d be going to Cisco Live this year (and exactly what form attendance might take), I have heard some whispers about what’s going on this year.  So, read on for the scoop!

This year Cisco Live is in Orlando, Florida.  That’s no big secret – we’ve known that since last year (and possibly the year before).  While that means no flight for me, last time it meant a lot of driving.  I’ve been assured that every effort will be made for a hotel room will be obtained for those of us going all week … so that will be nice.  It’s still a 1.5 to 2 hour trip by car to Tampa, and of course the Customer Appreciation Event going until 11pm doesn’t help.  Being able to stay in a hotel would be great.

But Mentioning The CAE Is Getting Ahead Of Myself

Not *quite* front row, but closer than most!

Let’s first talk about the (somewhat standard) pre-Live contests!

First, public posts on Twitter and Facebook (using the #CLUS tag on Twitter and I would guess a reference to the Cisco Live Facebook page on Facebook) will get you a chance to win photos with either the CAE performer or the Guest Keynote speaker.

Next, somewhere around April 16, there will be an opportunity to add captions to photos that will be posted weekly by the Cisco Live folks, and that gets you a chance to win prizes.

Finally, bloggers posting about Cisco Live (and providing links on Twitter with the #CLUS hashtag) can possibly win a pass to the 2019 Cisco Live or even (wow!) a Lab or Tech session in 2018!  Not to mention the possibility of getting front row seats for the closing Keynote!  Having had that one myself, I can tell you it’s invaluable to be able to actually see the speaker without having to look at the screen.

Once You’re There, The Contests Don’t Stop

The Cape is back for those Twitter folks who share quality Cisco Live tweets.

Daily prizes are available for the best #CLUS photo of each day.

There’s a Retweet Contest daily where if your retweet of a particular tweet is the specific number in the sequence of retweets (kind of like being the seventh caller or what not for a radio contest – does that mark me as old?) you win!

And of course there will be the Twitter leaderboard.  I don’t know how hard I’ll be trying to get in on that this year, but I’ll be keeping an eye on it …

Oh … and if you’re not there but attending in spirit, even the best remote #CLUS attendees will be getting something … even if it’s just a shoutout!

It’s Not A Surprise, But A Welcome Confirmation

The last time Cisco Live was in Orlando, we had Universal Studios Florida all to ourselves Wednesday night.  It’s been confirmed to me that this is the case again this year, from 7:30pm to 11:30pm.  This means free food, free rides, and for those of you that partake, beer!  Possibly other drinks too.  There will be multiple stages set up around the park with several music performers.  I’ve been told to expect a whispers regarding who those folks might be around the end of the month, so I’ll let you know when I know!

About the only ride you won’t have access to is the Hogwarts Express – but that’s because it takes you to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure.  While the general public will still be there until that park closes, you are also able to get entry into Islands from 6:00pm on with your (?) wristband.

I haven’t gotten 100% clarification of what “wristband” refers to.  Previously all of your conference access was controlled through a lanyard badge.  It may be that this year either the lanyards are going away for something easier to manage.  I have mixed feelings about this – if it’s for the whole conference, I’ll miss staring at people’s bellies to see their names and where they work.  It’s a lot easier (and funny really) than asking them.  But the lanyards did occasionally get annoying.  Perhaps it’s just for the CAE?

In any event, considering that pretty much all of my vacations involve Universal Orlando these days, this is the best CAE of them all for me.

The Closing Keynote: More Than One!

If it wasn’t enough to have Dr. Michio Kaku talking to you as you get ready to depart, your brain stuffed with knowledge from the conference, he’ll be sharing the stage with author Amy Webb (of the Future Today Institute).  This is totally inline with the theme of this year’s Cisco Live: Imagine/Intuitive.

Giving Back: Social Responsibility at Cisco Live

Cisco Live will be giving 500 Pi-top laptops (build it yourself laptops powered by Raspberry Pi) to NetAcad schools in Florida.  However, they’re not expecting the students of those schools to build the laptops.  We will!  Throughout the week (knowing us, probably just the first day), the 500 Pi-tops will be available to be built by attendees.

So Join Us

The Arrival Tweetup is Sunday at 5:45pm – 7:15pm (arrival photo at 6:10pm).  The Farewell Tweetup is Thursday 4:30-5:30pm after the Closing Keynote, with the photo scheduled for 4:40pm.  Hope to see you there!

Ready for the week!