Over the last few years, I've been asked to be the “official blogger” for several SAP events. While I was honored to be asked, the designation never sat well with me. After all, blogging is based on the concept of open discourse; everyone is entitled to their opinion and the masses ultimately vote with their blogreaders as to whose point of view is most sought after.
Naming me official blogger and making me the only blog listed on the online platform felt like a kind of censorship. Even worse, there were times when I didn't feel like I could keep up with my blogger responsibilities, as I was too busy to blog.
Happily my reign is over.
Instead of one official blogger, there are expected to be more than 100 people blogging about SAPPHIRE NOW 2010. So-called “social media reporters”, armed with flip cameras, will be capturing footage from keynotes & sessions, interviewing customers & partners, and providing on-the-spot commentary. Like the successful SAP Influencer Summit, twitter will be deeply integrated into the event and the online platform. I’ll personally refer to the backchannel during my Countdown to Keynote sessions.
The multitude of social media reflects the revamped structure of SAPPHIRE NOW compared to 2009. Instead of a single event in Orlando, SAPPHIRE NOW is happening simultaneously in Frankfurt, Orlando, Buenos Aires, Bogotá, Tokyo, Sydney, and Singapore – not to mention wherever you want via the on-line experience. Instead of a 3-day event on-site and two-week window on-line, SAPPHIRE NOW continues throughout the year – with new content generated at and after the event.
It’s the beginning of a new era for social media and SAP events. The future is no longer coming; it’s already here. It’s time for SAPPHIRE NOW.
