Marketers, or anyone else for that matter, this is the second part of a two-part series. If you want all the jibber-jabber setup and information about the breakout sessions on Tuesday the 17th, please check out part 1 of the series.
If you want to dive to Wednesday and Thursday, just dig in already! Please keep in mind, more sessions will probably be added and some may change. Don’t hold this author’s feet over the fire should you have decided to check out the “Sitecore Gives Away Free Chocolate and Scotch” session and suddenly it is cancelled. Review the schedule as the event approaches to finalize…that’s the takeaway. But for now, as only futurist Jason Silva or I could predict….
Here are some specific Sitecore Symposium 2017 Breakout Session Recommendations for Wednesday, October 18th & Thursday, October 19th:
Catch the opening General Session and Partner Theatre to shake off Tuesday evening. You will be fine! Thanks coffee. Then…
WEDNESDAY 10:00-10:45
Developer Track: “Technical Deep Dive: New extension points”
This is another one of those, “stretch your brain marketers” moments. It will be very tech heavy but should be of interest as an over-arching topic; xConnect.
Marketing Track: “Empowered analytics: Take the guess work out of personas”
In case you thought you were catching up, here’s the future. Learn about how machine learning can help you make decisions around your profiles/personas. #robots
WEDNESDAY 11:15-12:00
Developer Track: “Upgrading to the latest version of Sitecore”
By now you should be on your second cup of coffee. Learn what developers need to do upgrade your version of Sitecore. Don’t you owe that understanding to them just a little? Maybe then they will start helping you with your Mac-related questions.
Strategy Track: “Atlantis the Palm: How to create five-star omni-channel experiences”
This session has so many things! Travel, gambling, five-stars, omni-channel?!! It does the brain good to hear what other companies have gone through. One of my favorites last year was a cable company case study and all the magic they created for their customers with Sitecore. I have high hopes for this one!
(more Partner Theaters in between, including one on AI powered search. #morerobots)
WEDNESDAY 1:45-2:30
Marketing Track: “Personalization is the new bacon: 8 steps to cooking up personalizations”
Who doesn’t like a good “list-deck” or bacon? This sounds like a good quick-start and tip session.
Marketing Track: “Sitecore Commerce with the Mayo Clinic”
You cannot get enough Commerce this year or live case studies. Plus, the Partner Theatre after is “Commerce in 2022.”
WEDNESDAY 3:15-4:00
Developer Track: “Coming soon: Exciting product updates”
Might be dev focused but hey…don’t you want to know? Note: Marketers might get what they need to know in the keynotes on this topic.
Marketing Track: “Increasing conversions & revenue in eCommerce with machine learning”
Personalizing your store experiences. More ecom and more machine learning. If you have had enough and need a break from this topic, check out:
Strategy Track: “Dazzling data: How to impress with dashboards”
Hone up on your analytics dashboard. My hope here is this session dives into Experience Extractor and the use of other BI tools.
—Cocktails, Dinner, Cocktails, Gambling, repeat??—
THURSDAY 10:00-10:45
For now I only have one recommendation other than the Opening and Closing sessions for the day. It is a shorter day for sure, and you will probably be thankful for that given your “information”-soaked brain.
Marketing Track: “Integrate your CRM & MAP with Sitecore for richer customer views”
To get to a true Digital Workplace you need to know the best options for pulling your data and solutions together. This session looks to define the path to bring all of your beautiful data together in working harmony. Now go catch the closing Keynote!!
Breathe!
There is a lot of info to absorb but remember some key tips to handling all of this:
- It is okay to take a break and miss a session. If you do, network with your peers. Sitecore is a great community of people that love to talk about their journeys.
- Change gears. If you are in a session that is not doing it for you, leave. Hopefully there is a second option running at the same time with available seating.
- Plan as best you can, breakout rooms do fill up. Last year there was an app and if there isn’t already for this year, I expect there will be.
- Recheck the schedule and get involved with the app. Really start to zero in on your track then.
- Enjoy the extra-curricular fun. Life-long friends, peers, and professional idea sharing starts at Symposium.
- If you enjoy the nightlife too much I might also suggest memorizing this post.
- Follow me on Twitter @Sitecordial – I hope to see you at #SitecoreSYM17
