Eric Stewart: Running Off At The Mouth

Cisco Live 2020 really had no choice.  It had to become a virtual event, as no one is really sure just when things will get back to some semblance of normal.  COVID-19 has people who have never even considered it before working from home … if they’re lucky enough to have a job where that’s even a possibility.  But to Cisco’s credit, they’ve made it a free event, and if you’re registered and a NetVet, you should have gotten an email about the possibility of getting some sweet free swag – notably a polo shirt, sweat shirt, or even (my choice, as I can never have enough of them) a hoodie!  There’s also some other stuff in the offering … but again, free for NetVets only.

For everyone, though, there’s keynotes, technical education sessions, demos, and innovation discussions.  And that’s not all.

They’re dividing things up into four channels – “Possibilities”, “Innovation”, “IT Heroes”, and “IT Leadership”.  Things kick off on June 2 with a 9am (Pacific Daylight Time) cross-channel Keynote, and then move to a series of sessions unique to each channel.  The first day will include a cross-channel talk by Sekou Andrews at (I think) 2:30pm.  Similarly, June 3 will have a morning 9am Keynote and then again move to a series of “channel unique” sessions, ending with a … celebration?  Don’t want to list everything out here – it would include a lot of text since there are around five focus areas per channel per day, and five to eight individual sessions for each channel each day.  Also … what I have is early information, a lot of it subject to change.  Cisco should be releasing something more official in a day or two.  What I will do is provide a brief summary of the different channels.

Possibilities

This channel is meant for long time customers or folks new to Cisco Live, this channel includes talks with insights on technology and change, including stores from Cisco customers, inventors, and community leaders.  From personal experience, given what we’re all going through right now, it should be apparent that not only does IT need to lead changes in our industries, it needs to be flexible in order to deal with unforeseen changes we have to go through to continue to provide the services, not only to our customers but even our own people.

Innovation

Aimed at the IT futurist – those who want to plan the next moves when it comes to infrastructure and innovation.  Data security, team empowerment, application redesign to deal with business changes – all of these are focus areas for those who want to be prepared for the changes a business might have to undergo.

IT Heroes

Do you build it, fix it, design it?  This is the channel for the most technical folks among us.  This channel will include demos, technical information/breakout sessions, expert-led sessions.  It’s the technical education channel, and where I might be spending a lot of my time.

IT Leadership

Having to make decisions during disruption, such as how to move forward in the time of COVID-19?  You’ll want to visit this channel for perspectives from industry leaders, including strategies and ideas that can be used today to move a business forward.

But that’s not all …

Attendee Engagement

There will be:

• channel specific Q&A staffed with Cisco experts
• Interactive polls and trivia games
• a Social Media Lounge! (I’ll probably be here, too)
• 1:1 Networking possibilities

Cisco Live always has high social media presence, especially during these events, and this virtual one won’t be any different.  Social Media contests, which will include possible prizes for participants, are planned.

There will even be Webex Teams rooms specifically for the IT Heroes and IT Leadership channels.

There will be a Cisco Store

Links will be emailed to registered attendees soon and for a limited time, orders of $75 or more (which, honestly, isn’t hard to do if you shop there) will include free shipping.

Social Media Lounge

I don’t have many specifics on how they’re doing this yet, but there will be a Social Media Lounge.  You’ll be able to connect with fellow attendees over the various social media platforms and there will even be a leaderboard to see who’s being the … well, most “social”!

Making the best out of a tough situation

CiscoLive looks to be planning quite the online event – doing their best to provide what they can online during a time where it seems that, for the foreseeable future, gathering in a large crowd would be ill-advised.  I plan on participating; as a social event, it might be just enough to tie me over until it’s safer to meet with everyone in person, hopefully next year.  Hope to “see” you there!