Open Camp Day Zero

So yesterday was basically Day 0 of Open Camp 2010.  This is the first year for Open Camp, and the first time I have ever been to a conference that I’ve had to pay for.  The only other ones I’ve been to are the free ones Microsoft does when they release a new product.  Those are cool, but of course it’s nothing like this.

When we arrived yesterday, we checked into the Crown Plaza, which is an extremely nice hotel by the way, and got settled in.  Then we grabbed a quick dinner at the McDonald’s down the street and headed over to Greenhill High School to watch the Army Golden Knights do an exhibition jump.  Considering I had never even heard of the Golden Knights until they were announced for Open Camp, I wasn’t exactly sure what we were in for.  I had already watched a video of one of their performances, but I still wasn’t prepared for the one guy who looked like he was going to land right on us, and he still had pyro shooting from his boot!  Overall that was an awesome experience, and it almost even made me want to skydive… but I’m not going to go there.

After the Golden Knights, we walked back over to the Hotel, got registered and sat/walked around the welcome party listening to the music.  There were many people I wanted to talk to, but I figured I would conserve my voice (cause it was LOUD) and try to catch them later.  It worked out though, because after that party we went up to the “after party” room, and sat/walked around until finally I got my chance.  I got to talk to John P., the even organizer (and CEO of Woopra).  It was definitely a great start to a conference that really kicks off this morning at 8:30.  I’m excited about learning some very useful things today and tomorrow, and of course meeting plenty more insanely awesome people.  Networking is something I don’t have a lot of in certain areas, and I’m hoping I can build some of that over the next couple of days.

Oh, and John, if you somehow found this blog… WAR EAGLE!