Knowledge 25 - Majorly useful or a Vegas jolly?

[PaulTaylorIOSP]

Contemplating signing up for Knowledge 25 in May.

Obviously, there is a cost for entry as well as the cost to get there, stop there and eat there...While the timetable looks very good, there will be questions from the DofIT about the value it will create.

As its n Vegas, the natural suspicion will be its an expensive jolly, but since I have no interest in slot machines, I want to make sure any trip out there would be useful.

Has anyone been to previous ones, if so how did you find them and would you go again.

[Alan Norris]

Hi Paul, 

The short answer is YES.

I have attended Knowledge for the past 8 years, both as a partner and as an employee but sadly never as a customer, that privilege was reserved for the higher ranks.  

Yes, there is the novelty and fun element of being in Vegas but that is a mere tiny fraction as the event itself is soo jam packed full of Labs, breakout session, customer conversations and keynotes that there is frankly not much time left for jollies. 

Every year is more engaging and full of energy and excitement as we discuss our new release features and capabilities and look to the future of our platform. Most of the content however, is delivered by customers aimed at customers. Who's done what, why and how, and what does success look like.

Creatorcon looks at some of the really cool fringe use cases and art of the possible, the hackathon gets practitioners working together in teams to create brilliant solutions to challenges and a huge expo hall with the worlds ServiceNow partners and our own experts, ready to talk to you about what you are doing or planning to do and how they can be helpful. 

Then there is the Networking opportunity, establishing relationships with experts and peers in the ecosystem is one of the most important elements in my personal opinion. 

it's a bit old but i always remember this article written by Andy Thomas about his experience, definitely worth a read. 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/my-3000-bet-against-house-vegas-andy-thomas/?trackingId=phzNNpWAQRqXb...

Hope you can make it! you won't regret it.

[AndyT6190156825]

Hey that's mine that is! I seem to recall we had quite a blast that year Alan! 😁

[Alan Norris]

It is! a terrific summary and perspective from one who's attended as customer and solo contractor. 

and yes, it was a blast. 😀

[Mark Manders]

To me, it's not worth the cost, nor the time, but that really is a personal thing (also because I absolutely hate lots of people cramped together), but I also know a lot of people that go every year.

It really depends on why you want to go. You can learn a lot, make a lot of connections, treat customers, or whatever. The fact that it's in Vegas shouldn't be a consideration, because when you go, you will get so much knowledge and walk so many miles (and get very little sleep, due to the ServiceNow related activities) that you don't even want to visit a show or go play roulette. 

But isn't it the same with any business trip? There's always time off and even the most boring place has a bar where you can go crazy. Yes, Vegas is an expensive town and tickets for Knowledge aren't cheap, but neither is a week on a farm for team building exercises. Those horses also need to be fed. 

You can get all of the information from the videos and documents that are published afterwards but, if you're into that, the contacts and live experience will add much value as well. Just check on the topics that are already announced and convince them with that.