SharePoint for Lunch with Joel Oleson: Thanks Everyone!

I just got back from the Toronto SharePoint User Group's year-end holiday party and it was a pretty excellent experience.

First to thank our meeting sponsors: Quest Software and Nonlinear Creations for picking up the lunch tab; that was an unexpected but much appreciated holiday surprise. And thanks again to Quest for bringing Joel to town! After a few logistical hurdles at the restaurant, Joel presented a thought-provoking and insightful talk on SharePoint governance, and eventually we let him eat too. There were no less than 5 MVPs in attendance - myself, Reza Alirezaei, and Bill Brockback representing SharePoint, and Rob Windsor and Ed Musters representing VB and C# respectively. There were also a number of local luminaries and past user group speakers including Ruven Gotz, Jason Bero, Ali Kheradvar, and Kanwal Khipple (apologies if I've missed anyone, let me know). Put those names together and that's probably half the speaker line-up of the SharePoint Camp!

It was a great room to be in.We welcomed some new faces, and there were a lot of great questions and discussion all around. We waited a little while for the food (and apologies to those who had to leave sooner) but once it started it was like a never-ending flow of dishes from the kitchen.

I'd like to give an extra special thank-you to the Toronto chapter of "Collaborators Collaborating for Collaboration," also known as the people who make TSPUG meetings work: Bill Brockbank and Susie Ibbotsen, this group continues to exist because you exist. You're the best! Also thanks to our sponsors and all those who provided facilities, catering, speakers, publicity, prizes and photocopiers in 2008 including: Nexient, Microsoft, ISPA, Wrox, INETA,  Cyberplex, Infusion Development, Nonlinear Creations, Navantis, SharePoint Buzz, Ideaca, ObjectSharp and MindSharp.

Our January meeting will be a pre-SharePoint Camp volunteer meeting where we'll be stuffing the goodie bags and sharing tips to any first-time (or returning) speakers. That's January 21 at Nexient (NW corner of Yonge and Bloor). All are welcome to attend!

 
[Photo: Rob Windsor, Reza Alirezaei, Joel oleson, and Eli Robillard]

Happy Holidays,
Eli.