Finally I found some time in order to write this blog and tell you guys my adventure on the road to SAP Inside Track in Chicago. I said adventure, it was not a mistake, it was really a time battle to be on time for my presentation.
The journey
Let start from the beginning, I planned to depart from Milan Italy on early morning of 14th July in order to arrive in Chicago at 2 AM of the same day and have the possibility to take my rest before the event. But this is what I planned; unfortunately my journey was not so easy.
Thursdays 14thJuly
7:30 AM - I arrived to Milan Linate Airport and i did my fight check-in to Amsterdam
9:00 AM – Boarding was supposed to start
9:30 AM – We had to take off, but boarding was not yet started
9:35 AM – Boarding started
9:55 AM – Boarding completed and the captain said “Due bad weather conditions in Amsterdam Schiphol our departure slot is between 10:50 AM and 11:15 AM” – What? 1hr in a plane?
10:55 AM – Take off, the speaker said “we should arrive in Amsterdam at 12:20 PM” – Oh no my connection is at 12:20 PM
12:20 PM – I arrived in Amsterdam, a KLM assistant was outside the exit and she told me “you can board on your flight, he is still waiting” – Yeah I’m so lucky!!!! Run Forrest, run Forrest! – In 10 minute I arrived to the gate and a kindly KLM agent informed me that the flight departed without me… Ok no problem there were several flights going to USA, I could change my connection and arrive in Chicago on time. – this is what I was thinking
12:25 PM – I arrived to transfer desk T6 and a long queue on my way. – This does not sound good
6:00 PM – Finally I completed the queue and I was booked on an other plane, but the only option was to move from Amsterdam to Paris tomorrow morning at 6AM at took the connection to Chicago. All the flights from Amsterdam to Chicago were booked. No way, I had to wait a night in Amsterdam.
Friday 15thJuly
6:00 AM – Departure from Amsterdam to Paris as scheduled
10:30 AM – Departure from Paris to Chicago – Yeah! I can do it!
12:35 PM – Arrived at Chicago O’Hare, once passed the Security Board Control I sent immediately a message to Sergio Ferrari that immediately tweeted “Ivan is in Chicago! He is arriving…”
1:45 PM – I got the rental car and I started to drive to Molex offices. Usually it took 30 minutes, but traffic slow down my drive.
2:38 PM – Finally after 36 hours of travelling I arrived to SAP Inside Track Chicago on time to start my session at 3:00 PM.
The event
I was very excited, but at the same time I was really tired; I slept only 3 hours!
Fortunately at Molex there were wonderful SAP Mentors and gentle Community Members that helped me to setup the stage on time for the session and I had also time for a quick chat with them and to take some pictures.
I had the possibility to present my session in steaming using SAP Connect, thanks to Ginger Gatling, and I was so happy to see that several people in person and many on remote attended my session.
At the end of the session, and also of the SAP Inside Track, had the possibility to chat again with some other people and promise that I would be available for any other future event in the MidWest.
Conclusion
Unfortunately I cannot attend to SAP Inside Track since the beginning; however I was here on time to spend two rich hours with valuable SCN Community Members.
Thanks you all guys, wonderful event and great emotions.
I would recommend you to join to SAP Inside Tracks across the globe, these are a very special moment to get in touch with SCN peers and share your knowledge and experiences with them. Check the schedule on SDN wiki.
On the wave of this experience I would invite you to SAP Inside Track Milan on October 8, 2011 in the wonderful Italy. Many attendees already signed up and I will be there!
Check Sergio Ferrari's blog A fresh new format for SAP Inside Track Milan 2011 for a briefly introduction.
You couldn’t attend abap2xlsx session at SAP Inside Track Chicago, do not worries presentation and SAPConnect stream are available.
- Presentation is shared on SlideShare and SDN
- SAP Connect screencast is published on TechedgeGroup Podcast episode TGP15
- SAP Managed Tags:
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