eComm, the now twice annual event that Lee Dryburgh rescued when the folks at O’Reilly jettisoned it without warning in 2008, was a hit. After three days I’m still in awe of just how much can get done at any conference, let alone one that has such a crossover factor of both geeks and business types. Not only did we launch Voyces.com the night before at a very well attended dinner with 40 people including superstar blogger Om Malik of GigaOm and now twice exiting Craig Walker, founder of GoogleVoice who people seem to forget also sold DIALPAD to Yahoo, showing up, to name two of the luminaries who drank wine from my cellar, ate food thanks to Jamie and DiTech all at Roti, but you also had Alec Saunders, Thomas Howe, Jim Courtney, Larry Lisser, Phil Wolff, Stuart Henshall, the magnificent Jay Phillips and more all coming out to play, share ideas, and yes, even talk some business.
And they came out to play because of eComm.
At eComm new ideas and new concepts came out and were seen first. Two of my clients (yes I will be as transparent here as I am on VoIPWatch) Ringio and CounterPath both unveiled new technology that moves the mindset around the idea of a PBX well away from what we have been doing, to what really makes sense in this very connected era. Others showed new ideas and new directions. Skype’s Jonathan Rosenberg painted a picture of where things are headed and more.
Now three days after eComm ended, I’m feeling I’m going through a crash of sorts. Not only do I miss the friendship and fellowship, I’m missing the intellectual stimulation that occurs when you get that many people in one place to share their insight and expertise.
You see, regardless of how much great content goes on up on the stage, what keeps making eComm great is the people who show up and share time, energy and emotion with one another.
I personally can’t wait for the next one!
P.S. The WiFi rocked.
